U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means

05/07/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 05/07/2021 15:27

After Dismal Jobs Report U.S. Chamber Sounds Alarm on Democrats’ Extended Unemployment Benefits

After Dismal Jobs Report U.S. Chamber Sounds Alarm on Democrats' Extended Unemployment Benefits

Worker shortage highlights need for Brady's Return-to-Work bill
May 7, 2021 - Blog

Today after Democrats' devastating job's report, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce joined State Governors, Main Street businesses, and other constituent groups in sounding the alarm that federal unemployment benefits are keeping Americans on the sidelines. The Chamber of Commerce called for an end to the $300 weekly jobless aid in President Biden's runaway spending package.

The report confirmed what House Ways and Means Committee Republican Leader Kevin Brady (R-TX) has been saying all along: Democrats are sabotaging our jobs recovery by promising higher taxes on local businesses that will drive jobs overseas, and by paying workers more to stay home than return to work.

This week, South Carolina and Montana moved to opt out of federal unemployment programs as state businesses struggle to fill jobs, and it's likely other states may follow.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Businesses Can't Find Workers: NBC Nightly News reports that 42 percent of small businesses couldn't fill open positions in March.
  • Workers are Staying Home: The National Bureau of Economic Research reports that a staggering 68 percent of workers earn higher wages on unemployment benefits than at their job.
  • A Stunning Economic Setback: April's jobs report revealed a labor shortage that is devastating to our economic recovery. It's time to turn unemployment into back-to-work bonusesto reconnect hardworking Americans with jobs.