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Colorado Republicans Call on Governor to End Enhanced Unemployment Benefits

June 11, 2021

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Lamborn, Representative Buck, and Representative Boebert sent a letter to Governor Polis urging him to reject the enhanced federal unemployment benefit and get Coloradans back to work. So far, 25 states have rejected the weekly $300 federal unemployment supplemental. In April, businesses in America were unable to fill 9,286,000 jobs and the unemployment for May remains at 5.8%. The letter states that according to the Colorado Restaurant Association, 90% of Colorado restaurants reported having trouble hiring enough staff for the summer season.

"We must get Coloradans back to work. I am extremely concerned that what was meant to be a temporary supplemental to help Americans through forced lockdowns has now been weaponized by Democrats in an attempt to raise the minimum wage," said Congressman Lamborn. "The policies of the Biden Administration are incentivizing individuals from returning to work and are harming small buisnesses throughout the Fifth Congressional District. Governor Polis must reject the expanded unemployment insurance."

"Last month we hit the highest level of open jobs in the past 20 years, with 9.3 million jobs open nationwide and 9.8 million unemployed Americans. Shutting down businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic devastated our economy and hurt American businesses and workers," said Representative Buck. "Millions of people lost their job during the pandemic, but there are now plenty of opportunities available. It's time to end the $300 weekly enhancement to unemployment benefits and get America back to work."

"The constant theme I hear from employers in the Third District is that they can't fill job openings because of excessive unemployment compensation and bonuses. At one point, more than two-thirds of people on jobless benefits were making more from unemployment checks than they did when they were employed," stated Representative Boebert. "Unemployment insurance benefits are temporary assistance for people that have lost their jobs and are actively seeking another job. They were never meant to permanently replace work. There are 8.1 million jobs open today. We have to stop paying people that should be working to sit at home on the couch. It's well past time for the government to end COVID bonuses and stop disincentivizing work."

The full letter can be read here.

Contact: Cassandra Sebastian (719) 520-0055