http://twitchy.com/gregp-3534/2021/06/04/purely-coincidental-biden-admin-changes-its-tune-after-lackluster-jobs-report/
After today’s lackluster jobs report, it’s become clear to everyone that the enhanced unemployment benefits being paid out because of the pandemic are incentivizing people to not re-enter the workforce.
From the NYT’s Neil Irwin:
Neil Irwin ~ Dang, the labor force participation rate actually edged down. That is consistent with the story that people are holding back, not re-entering the workforce en masse despite the economy re-opening.
This really isn’t shocking:
Jeff B. tried to do his best, but he could not ~ Turns out people do respond to rational incentives, and when you give them free money to stay home, they'd prefer to stay home.
And you can add the Biden administration to the list of folks changing their tune. From National Economic Council Director Brian Deese at today’s press briefing:
Kaitlan Collins ~ Two top Biden aides are declining to repeat that enhanced unemployment benefits are not encouraging people to stay home, as Biden stated clearly last month. Instead Deese highlights they are “temporary” and Psaki says governors have “every right” to end enhanced benefits.
“Purely coincidental changing of the talking points,” right?
Rep. Peter Meijer ~ Purely coincidental changing of talking points after disappointing jobs report.
More from the briefing:
Tony Romm ~ Asked yes/no if expanded UI benefits contributed to slower-than-anticipated (but still positive) hiring, Brian Deese, top WH econ advisor, doesn't answer really. Describes it instead as a "temporary lifeline," points out they're set to expire in September.
Jeff Stein ~ Asked if the White House believes Democratic-run states should also cut supplemental UI benefits, White House's Brian Deese says "that program was designed as a temporary lifeline ... the temporary boost is slated to expire in 90 days. As the president said, that's appropriate."
Jeff Stein ~ Asked again, Deese says Biden believes the UI benefit has provided a temporary "critical lifeline" but reiterates "that is a very short-term issue" and pivots immediately to talking about the vaccination strategy.
Watch for yourself:
USA TODAY ~ Deese: The “critical lifeline” provided boosted unemployment benefits was “designed to be temporary and to expire in about 90 days.”
http://bit.ly/34OhRBU
http://twitter.com/i/status/1400880753903390720
The essential American soul is hard, isolate, stoic, and a killer. It has never yet melted. ~ D.H. Lawrence
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