Talks on Virus Aid Collapse; Jobless to Lose $600 Extra Benefit
Many unemployed Americans will more likely lose jobless benefits as talks on the vital coronavirus aid collapsed Friday.
In a last-ditch effort to revive the coronavirus aid talks in Capitol Hill, Democrats were disappointed by the results of their attempt to lessen further damage to the economy.
The extra jobless benefit could have helped millions of Americans, who were laid off from work because of the coronavirus. Now, many unemployed workers are straining to afford basic needs. They have been like that since the $600 a week in unemployment benefits expired.
Coming from the virus aid talks, top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said, "It was a disappointing meeting."
The Democrats are looking for a coronavirus aid that meets the current concerns of the country like the surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths, double-digit joblessness, and a threat of poverty for millions of new jobless, as reported by the Market Watch.
According to an Associated Press report, Schumer said the White House rejected an offer by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to limit Democratic demands by about $1 trillion. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin also said there wasn't any progress on the aid from their meeting.
Impact of Delays
Most of the time, disagreements in Washington have little impact on the public. It is not the case when it comes to coronavirus aid.
Delays in agreeing to a budget lead to longer and maybe a permanent expiration of the $600 jobless benefit. It also delays more than $100 billion to help schools reopen this fall.
More funding for testing is also blocked, even as cases are surging this summer. States and local governments are also left with low budgets to work with.
With no deal in sight, the country could be left with no virus aid even well into August or September.
"My worst nightmare is coming true," Liz Ness, a laid-off worker, told to CBS News. She fears she will be evicted from her home by next month without help from Washington.
Business CEO Brian Gallagher said he knows that Congress members have the "luxury to come to an agreement this week and vote next week and then roll it out over several weeks."
But he added that many families in America don't have that time on their hands. "They are out of money tomorrow," Gallagher said.
On Friday evening, President Donald Trump said if the House and Senate still can't see a bill that they will agree upon, he will "act under [his] authority as president to get Americans the relief they need."
What does Trump plan to do?
The Al Jazeera said in a report that, as per what Trump has said on social media, he was thinking of putting some executive orders in place.
His plans include expanded jobless benefits, reinstating a moratorium on evictions, cutting payroll taxes, and a continued suspension of student loan repayments.
While there are plans on Trump's end, the law states that Congress has to decide on federal funding. No one from the White House has provided specifics on the negotiations yet.
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