GOP weighs jobless aid cuts to urge Americans back to work

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell huddled Thursday at the White House as Republicans stake out new plans to phase out coronavirus-related unemployment benefits to encourage Americans to go back to work.

Revamping jobless aid is fast becoming the focus of debate over the next virus aid package. After the Senate decided to take a “pause” on new pandemic proposals, senators faced mounting pressure to act before leaving town for a weeklong Memorial Day break. The Senate also began efforts to fast-track an extension of a popular small business lending program.

“Republicans and the White House are reaching consensus on the need for redesigning the unemployment benefits so they are not a barrier to getting people back to work,” Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas, the top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, told reporters on a conference call.

The flurry of activity comes after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pushed a new $3 trillion aid package through the House last week. The Senate, under McConnell, says there is no urgency to act, and senators are expected to reconsider more aid only in June.

https://news.yahoo.com/deliberative-senate-declines-debate-more-051210729.html

Are these assholes really that stupid? To get unemployment you have to show you're looking for work.

[OrlandoDem2]

1. They don't want to pay unemployment but they also don't want to pay a living wage.

They want cheap labor because big business wants to pay peanuts. And when there are no jobs they don’t want to give unemployment. It’s a vivacious cycle.

Pay a reasonable wage and people will work, but don’t keep people in slave-like conditions just so big business doesn’t have to pay a decent wage.

[CanonRay]

2. Work, get sick, die. Don't work, starve, die

[Igel]

3. I don't know what the work-search requirements are at present in other states.

In the 'fascist' state of Texas, this is the current rule:

https://www.twc.texas.gov/news/covid-19-resources-employers

At present, the U.S. government and Texas legislature have not changed any laws or rules concerning unemployment benefits during the pandemic. However, Department of Labor guidance provides that federal law permits significant flexibility for states to provide Unemployment Insurance (UI) services related to COVID-19. Based on this, TWC will be waiving work search requirements for all claimants and the waiting week for those claimants affected by COVID-19.

Employers who have had to lay off employees or reduce their hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic need to tell TWC that the employees’ job separation or reduction in hours is due to the pandemic when they respond to a Notice of Application for Unemployment Benefits. Also, if the employer has laid off multiple employees, the employer can send ONE blanket employer response for all the affected employees. Employers should include their TWC Account Number on the response. TWC will apply the response to all the affected employees who have applied for benefits.

Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act dated March 27, 2020, individuals who are self-employed, seeking part-time employment, or who otherwise would not qualify for regular Unemployment Compensation (UC) or Extended Benefits (EB) under state or federal law or Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) under section 2107 may be eligible for assistance under PUA. Coverage may also include individuals who have exhausted their benefits under regular UC or EB claims under state or federal law, or PEUC.

"TWC" stands for Texas Workforce Commission.

So at least in Texas there is no requirement to show you're looking for work.

However, there is also

Employer Work Refusal Documentation

Employee Refused Return-to-Work Offer? Let us know!

If you offered any of your employees a chance to return to work and they refused, TWC needs to know. Please report each individual who refused to return to work on our online Employer Work Refusal Documentation form.

(ibid.)

[Wounded Bear]

4. There is no responsibility placed on hirers to provide jobs...

it's all up to the workers to find jobs, whether or not they exist. It's like living with Richie Cunningham's father. "Get a job."

[roamer65]

5. DOA in the House.