Congress Struggles to Pass New Covid Relief

FEATURING JOSH BIVENS – With the number of Covid-19 infections and deaths rising precipitously over the past few weeks, it is no surprise that Thursday’s Labor Department data showed the number of unemployment benefit seekers also increasing. About 1.4 million Americans filed for jobless benefits last week even as the $600 a week of Covid-related relief is set to expire in days. Senate Republicans and the White House appear to be unprepared and disorganized as ideas are being tossed around, rejected, raised in piece-meal fashion, and rejected again.

Josh Bivens, director of  research at the Economic Policy Institute. He has regularly testified before the U.S. Congress on fiscal and monetary policy, the economic impact of regulations, and other issues. He is the author of numerous books including Failure by Design: The Story behind America’s Broken Economy.