WASHINGTON D.C. – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) joined House Ways and Means Committee Republican Leader Kevin Brady (R-TX) and 13 of their colleagues to introduce the Reopening America by Supporting Workers and Businesses Act of 2021.

This crucial legislation will turn enhanced unemployment benefits into one-time back-to-work bonuses to help local businesses rebuild their workforce following the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Amid the many challenges Main Street businesses have had to face throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, competing with unemployment benefits to hire people shouldn't be one," said Congresswoman Miller. "The key to economic recovery is getting people back to work, not incentivizing them to stay on the sidelines. By turning unemployment benefits into back-to-work bonuses, this important legislation will help keep main street businesses open, get Americans back in the workforce, and rebuild our economy."

Background:

The Democrat American Rescue Plan Act provided Americans an extension of $300 per week in supplemental unemployment benefits through September 6, 2021. This additional $300 a week hinders Main Street businesses from filling jobs because they struggle to pay workers more than what many are making on unemployment.

The Reopening America by Supporting Workers and Businesses Act of 2021 provides one-time, limited back-to-work employment bonuses comparable to a hiring bonus, and accelerates a scheduled increase in funding for Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessments (RESEA). It also expands the pool of eligible workers to include those receiving benefits through CARES Act unemployment programs and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, and reinstates the federal work search requirement for individuals receiving unemployment.

Original source can be found here.