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Pandemic Unemployment Benefits End, Biden Encourages States to Continue with Individual Federal Funds

Photo: David McNew / Getty

LANSING, September 8, 2021 ~ Tuesday, Federal pandemic unemployment benefits ended, affecting nearly 8 million Americans, and 450,000 Michigan residents.

President Biden has recommended that states use Federal funding to extend the benefits.

When Michigan continues to have near seven-figure job openings, near a million job openings I’m told, I see that it would be counterproductive for us to continue to extend that,” Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey told 760 WJR’s Kevin Dietz. “The Federal funds that we do have available to us, I think have a far higher purpose available to them, where we can make some real investments on capital constrained projects that we would have a hard time mustering dollars for, that would be a higher priority than simply extending unemployment benefits.”


March 17, 2021 ~ U.S. Congressman Peter Meijer (R-Grand Rapids), talks with Guy Gordon about the evolving situation at the US/Mexico Border.

Many Michiganders have voiced their concerns with the benefit systems, citing website crashes and payment issues, as well as other problems.

Additionally, the Biden Administration also recommended that states enact their own eviction bans, and is expanding food stamp programs, a move that could cost taxpayers $20 billion annually.

Many officials, such as Senator Ted Cruz, are encouraging people to get a job, and not rely on the government for payment.

\”Um, get a job?\” Cruz tweeted. \”There are millions of vacancies, and small businesses across the Nation are desperate for workers.\”

It has been proven, that one of the best things you can do for your health is to have a job,” said Mike Shirkey. “Like I said, we’ve got near a million job openings in Michigan still. I think it would be a big mistake to continue [benefits].”

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