Hinson Introduces Back to Work Act, Counters Far-Left Effort to Extend Taxpayer Funded Unemployment Benefits

Press Release

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-01) introduced the Back to Work Act in response to progressive Democrats, led by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, insisting on extending federal pandemic unemployment programs into 2022.

"With 10.9 million open jobs nationwide, record high prices as a result of massive overspending, and COVID-19 vaccines widely available, what good reason is there to spend more taxpayer dollars we don't have to pay people to stay home instead of work?

"There isn't one.

"These programs were put together quickly during the pandemic to ensure that those who had lost their jobs due to pandemic closures could provide for their families, and I supported this targeted and temporary relief. Now, our economy has reopened, but small businesses can't find workers because they are paid by the government to stay home.

"Unfortunately, these programs were susceptible to abuse and exploited by bad actors. Continuing these benefits without taking any steps to address rampant fraud is blatantly disrespectful to the taxpayers expected to fund this program and makes absolutely no sense.

"We don't need policies that disincentivize work, drag down the economy, and make the pandemic lifestyle permanent. It's time to get Americans back to work." - Congresswoman Ashley Hinson

Background

The Back to Work Act would require the Bureau of Labor Statistics to study the negative impacts of prolonged pandemic unemployment benefits on our communities, demonstrating that work is the best option for Americans, not government dependence.
The $900 billion pandemic-related unemployment program was susceptible to fraud and exploited by international bad actors. Reports indicate that between $87 billion to $400 billion was stolen.

Source