Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) made a move toward overcoming one of the biggest hurdles of current COVID-19 relief bill negotiations Tuesday. In a reversal, he said that he was open to extending the $600-a-week federal unemployment benefit that expired July 31.
Despite McConnell’s support, however, many Republicans are staunchly against extending the benefit, concerned that it incentivizes workers to stay on unemployment. Although a study by Yale economists disproves this theory, some long-term care operators and staffing agencies have reported a greater gap in filling shifts as many certified nursing assistants opt for unemployment benefits during the pandemic.
After more than a week of talks and not much progress on a deal, it appears a third relief bill may be finalized Friday. Lawmakers likely will vote on the bill next week.
