By far the most impactful order is the extension of federal unemployment benefits to $400 per week, a slight decrease from the previously guaranteed $600 per week. Trump has defended the decrease in weekly payments by arguing that $600 is too much and will disincentivize people from returning to work.
The $400 comes with a caveat, however. States will be required to pay 25% of the $400 from currently existing funds. It remains to be seen whether each state will be on board with the President’s plan.
Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle have sparred over unemployment benefits with Democrats wanting to keep them at the previous $600 level while Republicans want to slash them to $200.
Trump has attributed the bypassing of Congress to inaction on the part of Democrats.
“We have repeatedly stated our willingness to immediately sign legislation providing expanded unemployment benefits, protecting families from eviction and providing relief payment to families,” said President Trump.
Trump further added that “Democrats have refused these offers. What they really want is bailout money for Democrat governors and mayors that have been run very very badly for many years.”
