Conservatives are again resurfacing the false narrative that enhanced unemployment benefits disincentivize recipients from returning to work, all while denying the same workers the support they actually need to get back to work, like a robust care infrastructure, safe workplaces, and living wages. We can’t let them get away with it.
Really, Unemployment insurance (UI) benefits have served as a crucial lifeline for millions of workers and families throughout the pandemic. The emergency boosts to UI during the pandemic — $600 a week until July 31st of last year, and now $300 — have been especially critical since UI benefits in many states only cover a fraction of a worker’s lost wages.
UI benefits put more money in peoples’ pockets, which in turn powers consumer spending, generating growth that reverberates throughout the economy. Enhanced UI benefits are an essential part of a healthy recovery that centers workers and local communities and should continue until we are on stronger economic footing.
Tell Republican Governors to stop slowing down the economy by denying workers and families this money: 202-662-4140
