Washington state lawmakers call for action over ‘dire’ unemployment numbers

Washington state lawmakers are calling on Senate Republicans to provide aid for the growing number of unemployed Americans brought on by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Unemployed Washingtonians living in fear until benefits arrive

The number of workers seeking U.S. unemployment benefits rose back over 1 million last week, after two weeks of declines. That news came as employers have been advertising fewer job openings, with unemployment still in double digits. And many businesses and consumers remain paralyzed by uncertainty and restricted by lockdowns.

“Today’s unemployment numbers are dire,” said Washington Rep. Denny Heck. “Each week Senate Republicans hold vital pandemic aid hostage, another million Americans file for unemployment. We can’t let the livelihoods of millions be subject to Sen. [Mitch] McConnell’s partisan whims.”

“I’ll say it again: Mass unemployment is a policy choice. We can and must choose differently,” fellow Washington Congressperson Pramila Jayapal agreed.

Both Jayapal and Heck called on the Senate to reinstate federal $600/week unemployment assistance, which had previously been allowed to expire while Congress fought to a stalemate on the next COVID-19 aid package.

Family waiting on unemployment forced to ‘sell everything’

President Trump later bypassed the nation’s lawmakers, claiming the authority to defer payroll taxes and replace the expired unemployment benefit with a lower amount. States have decried the move, though, as it puts part of the onus on local governments to come up with funding for benefits.

“People need real relief during this crisis,” Jayapal said.

“Americans need help — and they need it now,” Heck echoed.

Congress continues to be far apart on negotiating a new aid package, with the House of Representatives having already left Washington, D.C. for the remainder of August.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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