Hoyer Says Jump in Unemployment Claims Is a Further Call to Action in Virus Fight

March 19, 2020 by Dan McCue
Hoyer Says Jump in Unemployment Claims Is a Further Call to Action in Virus Fight

WASHINGTON – The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits surged to its highest level in more than two years last week, causing House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to vow the government will do “everything necessary” to help families weather the coronavirus outbreak.

According to the U.S. Labor Department applications for benefits — typically an indicator of layoffs — rose by 70,000 to a seasonally adjusted 281,000 benefit applications last week.

That was the highest weekly total since Sept. 2, 2017, following Hurricane Harvey, which caused catastrophic flooding in Texas and Louisiana.

Economists have been predicting a surge in layoffs as efforts to contain the spreading coronavirus result in people losing jobs in a variety of industries from restaurants and bars to airlines and hotels.

Both the one-week rise and the total number of applications were far above the levels seen over the past year as the country’s unemployment rate fell to a half-century low of 3.5%.

The Trump administration and Congress are scrambling to produce a support package of around $1 trillion which would provide checks to Americans who have been affected by the outbreak.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Thursday that the administration hopes to start sending checks out in the next three weeks, but the timing will depend on how quickly Congress passes a relief plan.

In a written statement, Majority Leader Hoyer said Thursday’s unemployment insurance claims report, “displays the seriousness of the coronavirus outbreak’s impact on families in our economy.

“With so much uncertainty and so many of the nation’s businesses disrupted, workers are being let go without pay,” the Maryland Democrat said. “Ensuring that those who are losing their paychecks due to our national commitment to limiting the spread of the coronavirus can get the assistance they need will be critical to meeting this challenge.

“That’s why the Democratic-led House insisted on including an expansion of unemployment insurance benefits in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which was signed into law last night,” he continued. “It is why we will continue to insist as well that the federal government does everything necessary to help families get through this difficult time so that they can pay their bills, keep food on the table, and get the health care they need. We will not rest in meeting our responsibilities to the American people.”

A+
a-
  • Coronavirus
  • Steny Hoyer
  • Unemployment claims
  • In The News

    Health

    Voting

    Economy

    Inflation Slowed Further in December as Economic 'Soft Landing' Moves Into Sharper Focus

    WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge cooled further last month even as the economy kept growing briskly, a... Read More

    WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge cooled further last month even as the economy kept growing briskly, a trend sure to be welcomed at the White House as President Joe Biden seeks re-election in a race that could pivot on his economic stewardship. Friday’s... Read More

    Americans' Economic Outlook Brightens as Inflation Slows and Wages Outpace Prices

    WASHINGTON (AP) — After an extended period of gloom, Americans are starting to feel better about inflation and the economy —... Read More

    WASHINGTON (AP) — After an extended period of gloom, Americans are starting to feel better about inflation and the economy — a trend that could sustain consumer spending, fuel economic growth and potentially affect President Joe Biden's political fortunes. A measure of consumer sentiment by the University of Michigan has... Read More

    Some Americans Will Get Their Student Loans Canceled in February as Biden Accelerates New Plan

    WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration will start canceling student loans for some borrowers in February as part of a new... Read More

    WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration will start canceling student loans for some borrowers in February as part of a new repayment plan that's taking effect nearly six months ahead of schedule. Loan forgiveness was originally set to begin in July under the new SAVE repayment plan, but... Read More

    In Milwaukee, Biden Looks to Highlight Progress for Black-Owned Small Businesses

    WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is aiming to use a visit to the battleground state of Wisconsin on Wednesday... Read More

    WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is aiming to use a visit to the battleground state of Wisconsin on Wednesday to spotlight a surge in federal government support for Black-owned small businesses during his White House tenure and to highlight his administration's efforts to ramp up... Read More

    Wall Street Rises on Hopes for Rate Cuts, as Dow Ticks Toward Another Record

    NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street is ticking higher Thursday following its big rally the day before on excitement that... Read More

    NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street is ticking higher Thursday following its big rally the day before on excitement that several cuts to interest rates may indeed be coming next year. The S&P 500 was 0.3% higher in morning trading and within 1.5% of its all-time... Read More

    Biden to Convene New Supply Chain Council, Announce 30 Steps to Strengthen US Logistics

    WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday will convene the first meeting of his supply chain resilience council, using the event... Read More

    WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday will convene the first meeting of his supply chain resilience council, using the event to announce 30 actions to improve access to medicine and needed economic data and other programs tied to the production and shipment of goods. “We’re determined... Read More

    News From The Well
    scroll top