Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, told “Your World” on Wednesday that any supplemental unemployment insurance provided in a new coronavirus stimulus bill should be “at a lower level” than the $ 600 per week it was available as part of the CARES Law.
“There is an extra $ 600 contributed by the federal government in addition to the state benefit,” Portman told host Neil Cavuto. “Most people believe that this is creating a disincentive to work because you are paying approximately 68 percent of people more on unemployment insurance than they can earn on the job.”
SCHUMER SAYS $ 600 IN UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT NOT NON-NEGOTIABLE, AFTER TODAY SAYS IT IS
“I think,” added Portman, “we have to reduce it to a number that helps people through this difficult time, because unemployment remains relatively high and because some companies have not reopened due to COVID-19.”
Senate Republicans unveiled their version of an aid bill called “Phase 4” on Monday, while White House negotiators and Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, met Tuesday night to start negotiations.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF $ 600 IN EMPLOYMENT TO EXPIRE
The Republican $ 1 trillion bill is the alternative to the House’s $ 3 trillion HEROES bill, which was passed in May. HEALS represents the focus of the package on health, financial assistance, liability protection and schools.
Under the Republican proposal, Portman said: “Seventy percent of their wages would be covered, which is better than what states generally have. Most states are somewhere around 50 percent. Some less, some, some more. “
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The additional $ 600 unemployment benefit expires on July 31.
“It is not good for anyone,” said Portman. “It is not good for workers who are not reconnecting with their businesses, because in some cases, low-income people, perhaps 20 percent lower, think they can earn twice as much unemployment insurance as they can get back. to work So I have heard a lot from small and medium and large companies and non-profit organizations.
“Yesterday, I heard from someone who helps development with developmental disabilities in Ohio saying they can’t get their workers back.”
Fox News’ Morgan News contributed to this report.
