Democrats Reach Deal on Unemployment Insurance

“Senate Democratic leaders reached an agreement over unemployment benefits with moderate Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) late Friday, ending a nine-hour stand-off that threatened to derail action on President Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill,” the Washington Post reports.

“The agreement would extend the existing $300 weekly unemployment benefit through Sept. 6, as well as provide tax relief on benefits for households making under $150,000.”

New York Times: “The agreement came after a nine-hour impasse that paralyzed efforts to move Mr. Biden’s stimulus bill through the Senate, after Senator Joe Manchin III of West Virginia raised concerns that an overly generous benefit could discourage people from returning to work.”

“By late Friday, Democrats had reached a compromise that appeared to satisfy Mr. Manchin.”