ICYMI: Tillis Claims Extending Unemployment Insurance May “Make the Problem Worse”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

July 7, 2020

ICYMI: Tillis Claims Extending Unemployment Insurance May “Make the Problem Worse”

After Weeks of Dodging Questions, Senator’s Office Claims Extending Economic Lifeline for North Carolinians May “Make the Problem Worse”

Raleigh, N.C. - Last week, Senator Thom Tillis’ office finally responded to questions about extending federal unemployment insurance by making the bizarre claim that an extension may “make the problem worse.” Expanded federal unemployment insurance expires on July 31.

Economists have warned that such an expiration would cause a “huge drop in income” for working families and would slow any possible economic recovery. If Congress fails to act, the North Carolina families would be out of work and out of ways to pay for their expenses like rent, prescription drugs, and food.

Piedmont Rising Executive Director Casey Wilkinson made the following statement:

“In just three weeks, hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians who rely on unemployment insurance will be forced by Senators Tillis and Burr to take a devastating pandemic pay cut. Through no fault of their own, these families are facing the worst economic circumstances of their lives, yet Senator Tillis bizarrely believes that extending unemployment insurance would make things worse. Tillis needs to face the same reality that hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians are living with every day and commit to extending federal unemployment insurance beyond July.”

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