U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., joined more than 35 Republicans in the U.S. House in sending a letter to President Donald Trump, calling on him to oppose extending unemployment insurance contained in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, led the letter to Trump “opposing the extension of the $600 unemployment insurance enacted in the CARES Act” which was enacted into law by the end of March.
Steube insisted that not extending the payments would “incentivize people to go back to work” and weighed in on Friday on why he signed the letter.
“During an unprecedented crisis like COVID-19, we stepped in to ensure the millions of Americans filing for unemployment benefits were covered as the government urged businesses to shut down,” Steube said. “However, this was intended to be short-term solution, and as our economy slowly opens and jobs return, we should now incentivize Americans to help jumpstart our economy by going back to work.”
Back in May, Steube threw his support behind the “Getting Americans Back to Work Act,” a proposal from U.S. Rep. Tedd Budd, R-NC, who also signed the letter, which would “ensure that those receiving unemployment benefits do not receive more than the amount of wages they were earning prior to unemployment” by closing a loophole in the CARES Act.
“As we continue to confront the effects of the coronavirus, we have to work towards reopening our country. At a time when our unemployment rate has surged to its highest point since the Great Depression, businesses across the nation are struggling to hire workers because many individuals are receiving more money through unemployment insurance than they earned when they were working. We must do everything in our power to eliminate this perverse incentive. We have to get our fellow citizens back into the workforce as soon as possible,” Budd said when he introduced the proposal.
Budd’s bill is now before the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee. So far, there is no companion measure over in the U.S. Senate.
Steube is the only member of the Florida delegation to have signed the letter and to back Budd’s proposal.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
bill guy
July 14, 2020, 6:24 pm at 6:24 pm
This dude is lame. His pockets are fat!! I didnt ask to be unemployed but I sure as hell am. who do these public servants think they are?!! Florida and its state officials are the right next to California’s!! The WORST!!! way to let your people down Florida.
Margaret
July 19, 2020, 3:46 pm at 3:46 pm
Greg stupid likes to do everything the Trump way. That’s not working out too well. Looking forward to voting him out.
Michael Gruenberg
July 19, 2020, 3:54 pm at 3:54 pm
What is your view on wearing masks?
Henry
July 19, 2020, 5:45 pm at 5:45 pm
Totally agree with these senators and I am currently on unemployment. there is absolutely no incentive to go back to work when 75% of the people on unemployment are making double what they would at their regular jobs IE my job. State benefits are ok but NO 600 dollar boost as that is simply ridiculous…
Anonymous
July 19, 2020, 7:11 pm at 7:11 pm
Representative Stuebe is right to back this measure. There are many signs “Hiring” in local businesses in our area. The incentive to work is not there if unemployment pays more than normal earnings. If you are truly unemployed, you can get the regular unemployment.
Anonymous
July 19, 2020, 8:33 pm at 8:33 pm
But what about insurance? In 2002 I had lung cancer and lost my job after I returned to work from surgery. I was unemployed for 9 months and had to get COBRA so I wouldn’t lose continuous insurance and have my cancer a pre-existing condition. The regular unemployment back then was still only $275 a week. My COBRA cost over $600 a month. After paying for COBRA that didn’t leave me much for my house payment, my car payment (I had to let it go), utilities and food. I was totally broke after the end of 9 months and finally got a job paying 2/3 of what i was making before. These are real world issues. Quit dreaming…
JOHN Mathis
July 19, 2020, 9:26 pm at 9:26 pm
I couldn’t believe it when they passed that stupid bill to pay everyone $600.00 over what the state pays. It takes all the incentive out of going back to work. If they refuse work they should lose the unemployment money.