Governors in Missouri and Tennessee announced they will join five other Republican-led states to end federally funded pandemic jobless benefits, Reuters reported. The concern is the extra $300 per week benefit is dissuading people from taking jobs. Other states terminating benefits include Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Montana and South Carolina.
The US Chamber of Commerce is among those saying the extra benefits are dissuading workers from taking jobs and dampening the job market.
“Based on the Chamber’s analysis, the $300 benefit results in approximately one in four recipients taking home more in unemployment than they earned working,” said Neil Bradley, executive VP and chief policy officer at the US Chamber of Commerce.
However, not all agree with the assessment. President Biden noted those collecting unemployment benefits must accept suitable employment when offered, NPR reported.