U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Supports Legislation Introduced to Avert Looming Financial Disaster for Millions of Unemployed Workers
American Worker Holiday Relief Act would reinstate $600 boost, prevent expiration of additional weeks of federal benefits, program for gig and freelance workers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) is cosponsoring the American Worker Holiday Relief Act, legislation introduced to avert looming financial disaster for millions of workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.
“People out of work are struggling to get by during this ongoing economic crisis. Without an extension of federal programs, millions of unemployed workers could lose their income in the coming weeks. We need to act now to extend aid programs created under the CARES Act and help people who are out of work through no fault of their own,” said Senator Baldwin.
Currently, the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program and the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program are set to expire on December 26.
The American Worker Holiday Relief Act would add 26 weeks of federal benefits for workers receiving traditional unemployment insurance. An additional 13 weeks of benefits would be added for each percentage point a state’s unemployment rate rises above 5.5 percent, up to a maximum of 78 weeks when a state’s unemployment rate is above 8.5 percent.
The bill would also strengthen the PUA program by adding 26 weeks of benefits, and clarifying that workers who need to care for children whose schools are not fully open for in-person learning, or whose employers are not following COVID-19 health and safety rules are covered by the program.
The additional weeks would harmonize benefits for workers covered by traditional unemployment insurance and the PUA program.
The legislation was introduced by Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Senate Finance Committee Member Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Senator Jack Reed (D-RI).
An online version of this release is available here.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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