GREEN BAY, Wis. (NBC 26) -- Republican Congressman Mike Gallagher proposed a bill this week that if passed, would offer a lucrative incentive for unemployed people to find a job within the next month. The bill would end the $300 weekly unemployment benefit, which has been added during the pandemic and replace it with an incentive for those who get and keep a job before July 4th.
"So basically it would incentivize people to get back into the workforce. If you keep a job for four weeks you get a $1,212 payment. If you keep it for another four weeks that goes to $2,424," said Congressman Gallagher.
Both the Fox Cities and Greater Green Bay Area Chambers of Commerce have expressed support for the bill. Others, however, including Democratic Congressman Mark Pocan, do not support the legislation.
“This bill does nothing to help the industries that are still suffering as a result of this pandemic—from restaurants and taverns to tourism and the convention & meeting industry. Nor does it help the workers in the most devasted frontline businesses still facing high unemployment and need federal benefits to survive. Until more people get vaccinated and the economy reopens, we cannot cut benefits that too many American people rely on to provide a roof over their head and food on the table," said Congressman Pocan in a written statement to NBC26.
