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Kustoff Co-Sponsors Bill to Help Businesses Rebuild Their Workforce

April 13, 2021

Offers a return-to-work bonus for hardworking Americans

WASHINGTON, DC— Congressman David Kustoff (TN-08), co-sponsored the Reopening America by Supporting Workers and Businesses Act of 2021. This bill will help local West Tennessee businesses rebuild their workforce quickly by turning enhanced unemployment benefits into a back-to-work bonus.

"As more Americans get vaccinated and states begin to open up, it is time for citizens to get back to work so we can continue rebuilding our economy. Unfortunately, as I talk to folks across West Tennessee, I hear that businesses are competing with enhanced unemployment benefits," said Rep. Kustoff. "Nobody should have to choose between going back to their jobs with a steady paycheck or making even more on unemployment. This important bill will help people get back to work and ensure the pandemic job losses our country experienced, do not turn into permanent job losses."

Bill Summary:

The Reopening America by Supporting Workers and Businesses Act of 2021 would help connect unemployed workers with jobs to get the economy going again. The bill includes:

· Time limited back-to-work bonuses: Makes work pay by providing a one-time payment of either $1,200 (full-time) or $600 (part-time) to unemployed workers that obtain employment, comparable to a hiring bonus. The bonus requires verification from an individual's employer of their hours and earnings and would be available through July 1, 2021.

· Reemployment services: In recognition of the increased need for support to laid off workers, the bill accelerates a scheduled increase in funding for Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessments (RESEA) and expands the pool of eligible workers to include those receiving benefits through CARES Act unemployment programs, including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.

· Reinstate job search requirement: The bill reinstates the federal work search requirement for individuals receiving unemployment. Last March, when businesses were closed, Congress provided flexibility for states to waive this requirement. Thirty-two states continue to have a waiver in place. Reopening the economy will require connecting all available workers to job openings.