WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senate Republicans say they’ll propose cutting weekly emergency unemployment benefits by $400 until state governments can bring a more detailed program online, according to individuals familiar with the GOP’s plan.
The proposal reportedly will come as part of a $1 trillion stimulus bill to help offset the economic fallout from COVID-19.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected to bring the measure forward Monday afternoon.
The $600 weekly jobless benefit is set to expire at the end of the week.
House Democrats have proposed extending the higher unemployment benefit until January because the nation’s unemployment rate remains very high.
Senate Republicans want to reduce the $600 payment to $200 until individual states can implement a new approach that would pay workers 70% of their annual income.
States are expected to phase in the new unemployment program within the next two months.
