Alternatives to Unemployment Benefits Boost Floated (Corrected)

Leading business groups are ramping up pressure on Congress to consider alternatives to House Democrats’ call to extend a $600 weekly unemployment insurance supplement, warning lawmakers that the expanded benefits make it difficult to bring back furloughed workers or hire for additional positions.

As another 2.1 million Americans filed for unemployment last week, bringing the total number of claims during the pandemic to more than 40 million, business groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Retail Industry Leaders Association are lobbying lawmakers in an effort to jump-start formal talks over alternative ideas like a “back-to-work” bonus.

An ...