Wyden Statement on FEMA Guidance on Unemployment Benefits Executive Action

Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today released the following statement in reaction to FEMA guidance on the unemployment benefits executive action:

“FEMA’s new guidance again shows that Donald Trump’s executive order is a Trump con. Donald Trump said workers would receive benefits quickly, but they will wait a month or longer. Bills will pile up, and families will go hungry, falling further behind on the rent and unable to afford medicines. 

“More broadly, each week of delay means $15 billion taken out of the economy. The recklessness of Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell in allowing unemployment benefits to lapse makes it that much harder to get the economy out of the ditch.

“Donald Trump also said workers would receive benefits through the end of the year, but only three weeks of funding will be provided up front. If after three weeks, FEMA determines it needs the money to respond to a disaster, for example, nearly 30 million unemployed workers are simply out of luck. I will continue to push to pass legislation to reinstate the $600 federal boost.”

###

• Print
• Email
• Tweet