On the recordAugust 6, 2020
I was hoping after all that there wouldn't be an objection because I can't believe that my friend from Oregon believes that it is not a good idea to do an extension. All we are talking about is an extension for a week of the $600, the full amount, even though, again, all the data out there shows that amount is not practical for our economy, for workers, or for businesses. He made a valiant effort trying to explain why he is not for that, but I know that people who are watching just think it is common sense. Let's continue to discuss, but let's be sure we have, as my colleague from Alaska said, good-faith negotiations. That is not good faith, to say $600 or nothing. And that is exactly what the negotiators have said. To my colleague from Oregon, I wish they would authorize you to negotiate. I think you and I could actually work out something, and I think you probably do too. But they have not authorized us, and the Democratic negotiators have said $600 or nothing This notion that the 1-week extension just doesn't work--absolutely it works. Are you telling me that the State unemployment offices would not provide the $600? Of course they would. There would be a lapse, of course. There would be a week or two, they say. But that $600 would be in people's pockets. By the way, there is a lapse right now, so people who lost their unemployment last Friday in some States, including Ohio, continue to get it because there is a lapse in the payment. So, yes, people would get the money.…
