Some Democrats Push for Permanent Expansion of Unemployment Benefits

In a letter sent to the White House Friday, nearly 40 Democrats said President Biden should propose implementing a series of new federal standards of unemployment insurance programs, which are largely run by states.

State unemployment systems, hamstrung by decades-old technology, struggled to quickly deliver benefits to millions of unemployed people.

The White House has been studying possible unemployment insurance changes, according to a person familiar with the matter, and Democrats on Capitol Hill have been discussing the issue with the administration.

Sen. Ron Wyden, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Sen. Michael Bennet put out an unemployment insurance plan last week that would require that states offer 26 weeks of jobless benefits that replace at least 75% of workers' wages, among other steps.

Democrats contend increasing the amount and duration of benefits would help avoid the state benefit cutbacks that occurred in the aftermath of the 2007-09 recession.

Many states slashed jobless benefits to rebuild funds set aside to pay unemployment benefits after they were depleted during the last recession.

Each state sets its own criteria for its unemployment insurance system, including determining applicant eligibility and duration of benefits.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/some-democrats-push-for-permanent-expansion-of-unemployment-benefits-11619197231