[US] Unemployment benefits and the new stimulus bill

Major federal jobless aid programmes are set to expire by year-end and the question of what could replace them remains undecided. The impact of high unemployment on the US economy continues and millions of Americans are finding it hard to make ends meet.

Two competing proposals were introduced in Washington last week and each offers very different levels of support for jobless workers. The first is a $908 billion bipartisan congressional plan prioritising aid for the out of work, for businesses, and state and local governments. The second is a smaller Republican initiative focused on helping businesses stay afloat while limiting their legal exposure to  COVID-19-related lawsuits. Neither proposal, reportedly, includes direct payments to Americans. (Link via original reporting)

It appears that the larger stimulus package is gaining traction; both Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have said the proposal should form the basis for any further negotiations. Additionally, the plan has received support from several Republican senators. On December 4 Ms Pelosi said she would like to attach new coronavirus relief legislation to a government funding omnibus bill that must pass within the next week to avoid a government shutdown. CBS News examines the options on the table and what each plan would offer jobless Americans.

Major federal jobless aid programmes are set to expire by year-end and the question of what could replace them remains undecided. The impact of high unemployment on the US economy continues and millions of Americans are finding it hard to make ends meet.

Two competing proposals were introduced in Washington last week and each offers very different levels of support for jobless workers. The first is a $908 billion bipartisan congressional plan prioritising aid for the out of work, for businesses, and state and local governments. The second is a smaller Republican initiative focused on helping businesses stay afloat while limiting their legal exposure to  COVID-19-related lawsuits. Neither proposal, reportedly, includes direct payments to Americans. (Link via original reporting)

It appears that the larger stimulus package is gaining traction; both Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have said the proposal should form the basis for any further negotiations. Additionally, the plan has received support from several Republican senators. On December 4 Ms Pelosi said she would like to attach new coronavirus relief legislation to a government funding omnibus bill that must pass within the next week to avoid a government shutdown. CBS News examines the options on the table and what each plan would offer jobless Americans.