NY-24: Katko: Both parties to blame as $600 jobless benefit is set to expire
U.S. Rep. John Katko said Friday that Democrats and Republicans are to blame for the expiration of a $600 weekly benefit that was available to millions of unemployed Americans.
The additional jobless aid was included in a $2.2 trillion COVID-19 relief package approved in late March. The $600 payments, which are on top of the weekly unemployment benefits, were set to end July 31 — unless Congress acted.
The payments have provided much-needed assistance to unemployed Americans. In Katko's district, the unemployment rate in Onondaga County is 12.1% and 10.6% in Cayuga County.
In May, the House passed the Democrats' $3 trillion proposal that included an extension of the $600 payments through January 2021. Katko, R-Camillus, voted against the bill because he said it contained "poison pills," such as the release of incarcerated individuals who are age 50 or older, within a year of being released from prison or have chronic health conditions that increase their risk of serious illness if they contract COVID-19.
Katko argued that it would be unfair to the inmates who are left in prison.
Despite Katko's opposition, it was still a starting point for negotiations. However, Senate Republicans opted to wait until July to act on another COVID-19 relief. And it wasn't until this week that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell released the GOP's proposal.
https://auburnpub.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/rep-john-katko-both-parties-to-blame-as-600-jobless-benefit-is-set-to-expire/article_4a9c2ddb-818a-5b6a-ba23-ac4be84d54d6.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1
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