U.S. Labor Secretary: Georgians Will Hurt Without Benefits Extension
Congress hasn’t yet decided whether to extend emergency long-term unemployment benefits, which expired last month. Georgians can qualify for the federal money after exhausting 18 weeks of state benefits.
U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez says Congress’ failure to act will affect 63,000 Georgians.
“Those who suggest that these benefits incentivize people to not look for a job, they’re required to look for a job,” Perez says. “And actually when you cancel the program, that’s when you create a perverse incentive for people to give up.”
Perez says the longer lawmakers battle over the issue, the worse the economy will become.
“When you take money out of people’s pockets, they don’t spend,” he says. “We estimated that there will be roughly 6,000 jobs in Georgia alone that are lost if these benefits are not extended.”
Perez says he’s optimistic Congress will pass an extension soon. The Senate, which is in recess, held a Pro Forma session Friday. The House of Representatives, also in recess, will reconvene Monday.
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