Tuesday, Congressman Mo Brooks praised states that are rejecting federal government unemployment payouts. On Tuesday, Gov. Kay Ivey announced that Alabama would end its participation in all federally funded pandemic unemployment compensation programs in June. Other states like South Carolina and Montana have already announced similar plans as well.
Brooks stated, “In America, we believe in working for a living. No able-bodied working age person should be living off the hard work of others. Predictably, paying people more not to work than to work has created an unnecessary worker shortage. Joe Biden’s claim that the abysmal April unemployment report isn’t tied to paying people more not to work than to work is an affront to common sense. Employers and small business owners across America are closing or operating at reduced hours because they cannot afford to compete against the federal government’s increased unemployment payments. As I travel the state, I’ve seen examples on nearly every street corner of employers offering good jobs that they are unable to fill. I’m glad economically responsible states are wising up and ending the asinine policy of paying the takers more taxpayer money to stay home rather than work for a living.”
Congressman Gary Palmer also praised Ivey’s unemployment decision as well, stating on Twitter, “I applaud @GovernorKayIvey for taking this step towards allowing business to fully open in Alabama. Continued dependence on federal unemployment benefits will only hinder our economic recovery.”
I applaud @GovernorKayIvey for taking this step towards allowing businesses to fully open in Alabama. Continued dependence on federal unemployment benefits will only hinder our economic recovery. My full statement here:https://t.co/Tdr2yWk8cf
— Gary Palmer (@USRepGaryPalmer) May 10, 2021
According to CNBC, the unemployment rate rose to 6.1% amid an escalating shortage of available workers. Economist Jason Furman stated to CNBC, “I think this is just as much about a shortage in labor supply as it is about a shortage of labor demand. If you look at April, it appears that there were about 1.1 unemployed workers for every job opening. So there are a lot of jobs out there, there is just still not a lot of labor supply.”
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte stated, “I hear from too many employers throughout our state who can’t find workers. Nearly every sector in our economy faces a labor shortage.”
Robert Aderholt also agrees with Brooks, Palmer, and Ivey on the move away from increased federal unemployment benefits. Aderholt commented on Twitter, “I applaud @GovernorKayIvey for this decision. With so many jobs available across our state, there is no need for endless unemployment benefits. As the recent jobs report shows, this is hurting our economy, not helping it.”
I applaud @GovernorKayIvey for this decision. With so many jobs available across our state, there is no need for endless unemployment benefits. As the recent jobs report shows, this is hurting our economy, not helping it. https://t.co/94CDG5F9Kv
— Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) May 10, 2021
