Washington, D.C.—Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), Vice Chair of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, released the following statement about the introduction today of the American Workforce Rescue Act by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR).
The legislation would extend enhanced unemployment benefits past the July 31, 2020 expiration date and would tie those benefits to economic conditions in each state. Congressman Beyer announced a similar proposal in May, which gained the support of prominent economists, including former Federal Reserve Chairs Janet Yellen and Ben Bernanke.
“The new Senate legislation would ensure that critical unemployment benefits continue for workers in each state for as long as needed,” said Congressman Beyer. “By tying benefits to the unemployment rate in each state, we can provide unemployed workers the support they desperately need for as long as they need it. The support phases down as the economy improves and then turns off when it is no longer needed. This is good policy and I urge the Senate to move quickly on it.”
“The legislation is similar to the legislative framework I developed with Rep. Kilmer and Senators Bennet and Reed and would go a long way to providing workers and families with certainty that the benefits they count on will be there as long as they need them,” Congressman Beyer said.
About Congressman Beyer
Congressman Don Beyer is currently serving his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Northern Virginia suburbs of the nation’s capital. In addition to his role as Vice Chair of the JEC, Beyer serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means and the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. Previously, Beyer served as the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, Ambassador to Switzerland and built a successful family business over the course of four decades.
About the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee
The U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee is Congress’s bicameral economic think tank. It was created when Congress passed the Employment Act of 1946. Under this Act, Congress established two advisory panels: the President's Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) and the JEC. Their primary tasks are to review economic conditions and to recommend improvements in economic policy.
Chairmanship of the JEC alternates between the Senate and House every Congress. Currently, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) is the Chair and Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) is Vice Chair.
