Democrats Agree to Lower Unemployment Benefits as Part of Stimulus Bill Compromise
On 3/5/21 at 9:11 PM EST
Senate Democrats reached a compromise Friday evening over unemployment benefits, as competing proposals held up the passage of President Joe Biden's coronavirus stimulus package.
The original American Rescue Act, as passed by the House, included $400 in additional weekly payments to unemployed people through August. Republican Ohio Senator Rob Portman countered with an offer of $300 payments through July 18. Democratic Senator Tom Carper of Delaware made a proposal offering the lower $300 payment, but extended the deadline through the end of September.
West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin was blamed for the slowdown as he initially backed Portman's plan. But Manchin announced the compromise alongside a Democratic aide, according to the Associated Press. The new proposal is most similar to Carper's, but ends the payments on September 6, according to