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President Donald Trump has signed an executive order extending enhanced unemployment benefits through the end of the year that will pay out-of-work Americans $400 per week on top of their state unemployment benefits. The measure was one of four executive orders the president signed after lawmakers failed to reach an agreement last week on a second stimulus plan.
“[The president] has said we will use every power the federal government has to help, and I think this is an example of that,” Larry Kudlow, White House chief economic advisor, said Sunday during a CNN interview.
Related: Calculate how much you could receive under the new benefit.
The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) benefit, created as part of the CARES Act as a supplement to state unemployment payments, expired on July 25. The scope of benefits going forward has been a sticking point during congressional negotiations. Democrats have argued weekly federal unemployment benefits should remain at $600, while Republicans have sought to cut the supplements to as little as $200 per week.
Under the president’s memorandum, the $600-a-week payments will be reduced to $400 with state governments expected to contribute $100 toward the enhanced benefit.
Democrats aggressively oppose the executive orders, saying Trump has overstepped his authority, while also failing to solve benefit issues that both parties still need to negotiate.
“What the president did is unconstitutional slop,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said on “Fox News Sunday.”
State’s Asked to Kick in Aid for Extended Unemployment Benefits
The federal government paid the initial $600 weekly supplement with funds approved as part of the CARES Act. Under the new executive order, money for the unemployment wage supplement will be derived from multiple existing sources:
- 75% of the funds, up to $25 billion will come from the Department of Homeland Security’s Disaster Relief Fund, either until the money runs out or Dec. 6, whichever comes first.
- 25% of the funds, or $100, is expected to come from as-yet-unused state funds, including an estimated $80 billion remaining from an initial $150 billion in state assistance to combat coronavirus-related issues.The order also calls on states to “identify funds to be spent” should the Disaster Relief Fund get depleted.
It’s unclear how many state governors will agree to provide the $100 share benefits the president has outlined, or if they even will be able to implement a reallocation of funds in this way.
“If they don't, they don't. It's up to them," Trump said Saturday during a press conference.
The Link LonkAugust 10, 2020 at 03:15AM
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