Thousands of NC'ians File Jobless Claims 1 Week After Sens.Tillis, Burr Voted to Limit Unemployment

An Estimated 170,881 North Carolinians Filed New Jobless Claims in the Past Week.

Despite Pandemic, Tillis & Burr Said No to Up to $600 for Unemployed North Carolinians.

Raleigh, N.C. — Piedmont Rising Executive Director Casey Wilkinson released the following statement as new jobless claims numbers were reported by the U.S. Department of Labor this morning:

“While members of our state congressional delegation are fighting for North Carolinians hit hard by the coronavirus, Senators Tillis and Burr stopped a modest expansion of unemployment benefits that would make a huge difference in their lives right now. They are failing to lead in this time of crisis, just as they have when they’ve voted to increase health care costs repeatedly, especially for older North Carolinians. Senators Tillis and Burr are failing to get the job done for North Carolinians.”

Background

The U.S Department of Labor this morning reported that an estimated 170,881 North Carolinians have filed new jobless claims in the past week. More than 300,000 people have filed for unemployment in North Carolina since coronavirus-related layoffs began.

Tillis and Burr voted last week to stop an expansion of unemployment benefits for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

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About Piedmont Rising

Piedmont Rising is a 501 (c)4 issue advocacy organization built by and for North Carolinians to advocate for lower insurance premiums and prescription drug costs and to ensure that more people have access to safe and affordable health care. Through grassroots organizing, education, and engagement, we are amplifying our health care stories and holding our elected officials accountable to the people, and issues, they were elected to represent. www.piedmontrising.org