Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) cosponsored the American Workforce Rescue Act to enhance unemployment insurance programs established in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act based on states’ unemployment levels.
“Nevadans out of work through no fault of their own during this public health crisis need every resource and support available. Extending the increased unemployment benefits is vital for so many. Families rely on the unemployment benefits under the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program to pay for essentials like rent, groceries, and now school supplies as the fall semester approaches, but these benefits are set to expire at the end of this month. Congress cannot leave these struggling families behind, which is why I’m proud to cosponsor the American Workforce Rescue Act to extend this critical lifeline.”
BACKGROUND:
The American Workforce Rescue Act would extend the $600-per-week increase in unemployment benefits under the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program beyond July 31, 2020 until a state’s three-month average total unemployment rate falls below 11%. Then, the compensation amount will begin to phase out, reducing by $100 for every 1% decrease in the state’s unemployment rate, until unemployment falls below 6%.
Additionally, the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program in the CARES Act would be extended until March 27, 2021. The 13 weeks of extended benefits will stay in place if the state’s unemployment rate exceeds 5.5%, with the number of weeks of benefits available increasing by 13 for each additional percentage point the unemployment rate increases for up to a maximum of 52 weeks.
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