Manchin is considering two proposals that would lower weekly unemployment benefits. However, the Biden Administration seems willing to accept a compromise
Senate negotiations on Democratic President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 stimulus bill have slowed down as Democratic West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin considers two separate proposals for enhanced unemployment benefits. Biden’s original proposal offered $400 in additional weekly unemployment benefits set to end in August. One alternate proposal, introduced by Republican Ohio Senator Rob Portman, would decrease the payments to $300 per week and offer them until July 18. A second proposal, introduced by Democratic Deleware Senator Tom Carper, would also offer $300 per week, but would offer the benefits until the end of September. Carper’s bill would also prevent $10,200 of enhanced unemployment benefits distributed during 2020 from being taxed. This would save unemployed people from having to pay extra taxes on the money at a time when they may still be strapped for cash.
