Senate Stalls On Extending Jobless Insurance; $600 Weekly Benefit Expires

CHICAGO (CBS)– Congress has taken off for the weekend without extending the weekly $600 jobless benefits that would help millions of workers who are struggling during the pandemic.

Republicans want to extend benefits, but reduce them to $200 a week. That’s not sitting well with democrats, including Illinois’ senior U.S. senator Dick Durbin.

They proposed a plan to extend the benefits through the year.

Just within the hour, Durbin spoke at a union training facility in Bridgeport. He says republicans are just plain wrong when they say the $600 will keep people from looking for work.

Before leaving for the weekend, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell made a procedural move that could bring a compromise next week.

Even if a deal is reached, it’s unlikely benefits would return immediately.

Around 30 million Americans collect the enhanced jobless benefits.