Bishop, Arrington, & Braun Introduce Legislation to Jump-Start the Economy

Press Release

Rep. Dan Bishop (NC-09) and Rep. Jodey Arrington (TX-19), along with Senator Mike Braun (R-IN), introduced the Jump-Start the Economy with Jobs Act in the House of Representatives and Senate, respectively. This legislation ensures that extended federal COVID-19 related unemployment benefits only go to those who need it, and not to people who have a job waiting for them.

"One of the most consistent things I hear from North Carolina small businesses is that they cannot find the workers they need because the federal government is paying them more to stay home. The latest abysmal jobs report further illustrates that this is happening throughout the country. President Biden's plan to keep people sidelined through continued government checks is having a drastic effect on the job market. This bill will help right the ship by getting Americans who have a job waiting for them back to work." -- Rep. Dan Bishop

"Since the start of the COVID pandemic, I have been a vocal critic of the federal enhanced unemployment benefit. Businesses throughout the country, including many in my Congressional District, are unable to reopen their doors because the government is paying workers more to be on unemployment than they made in their previous job. This legislation will crack down on unemployment fraud by increasing oversight and ensuring that only individuals truly in need of help get it." -- Rep. Jodey Arrington

"What helped in May of 2020 is hurting in May of 2021, and so long as the federal government is paying folks to stay out of the workforce we can't return to the pre-COVID economy that was so strong. This bill is a simple fix: if you've been receiving the enhanced federal unemployment benefit for 30 weeks, you'll lose benefits if you've been offered your old job back." -- Senator Mike Braun

"The Democrat unemployment program has slowed the economic recovery by paying workers to stay at home. Currently, 1 in 3 Americans can receive more in unemployment insurance than they would in their job. Rep. Dan Bishop and Rep. Jodey Arrington should be applauded for introducing legislation that helps fix this problem by requiring those receiving UI to certify that they have not received a job offer from their previous employers. There are millions of job openings and businesses are struggling to hire, so it is imperative that lawmakers act to fix this worker shortage." -- Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform

"As the pandemic nears an end, it's important to have policies in place that encourage Americans to get back into the workforce. Congressmen Bishop and Arrington's legislation will begin to roll back enhanced unemployment benefits by ensuring that they are utilized only by those who truly need them. Their bill will help accelerate our nation's recovery and boost our economy." -- Brandon Arnold, Executive Vice President, National Taxpayers Union

The Jump-Start the Economy with Jobs Act would mandate that anyone currently receiving enhanced unemployment benefits for 30 weeks or longer would have to requalify for benefits. The CARES Act of March 2020 extended State benefits far beyond the typical 30 weeks and even increased benefits by an additional $600 a week. The extended unemployment insurance benefit has outlived its usefulness. This bill would begin to help America get back to our booming pre-COVID economy.

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