Please verify your request* Advertisement Two Senate Democrats on Wednesday introduced legislation to overhaul the nation’s unemployment insurance system after the coronavirus exposed flaws in the existing structure. The sweeping proposal sponsored by Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Michael Bennet of Colorado aims to raise base benefits, create a permanent benefit for self-employed and gig workers, minimize differences between state programs and tie extended benefits to the unemployment rate. The draft bill, titled the Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act, would require all states to offer at least 26 weeks of benefits and replace 75% of a worker’s typical wages up to a set maximum.