Press Releases

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), Vice Chair of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, released the following statement about the introduction today of the American Workforce Rescue Act by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR).

The legislation would extend enhanced unemployment benefits past the July 31, 2020 expiration date and would tie those benefits to economic conditions in each state. Congressman Beyer announced a similar proposal in May, which gained the support of prominent economists, including former Federal Reserve Chairs Janet Yellen and Ben Bernanke.

“The new Senate legislation would ensure that critical unemployment benefits continue for workers in each state for as long as needed,” said Congressman Beyer. “By tying benefits to the unemployment rate in each state, we can provide unemployed workers the support they desperately need for as long as they need it. The support phases down as the economy improves and then turns off when it is no longer needed. This is good policy and I urge the Senate to move quickly on it.”

“The legislation is similar to the legislative framework I developed with Rep. Kilmer and Senators Bennet and Reed and would go a long way to providing workers and families with certainty that the benefits they count on will be there as long as they need them,” Congressman Beyer said.