President Joe Biden and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Friday sought to fend off claims that the enhanced unemployment boost was creating a disincentive for people to take jobs, after a wave of criticism to that effect following Friday’s disappointing employment report that showed a sharp slowdown in hiring despite job openings at near-record levels.
Biden was asked at a press conference Friday whether the federal $300 weekly jobless benefit top-up—above and beyond what states provide—had any effect on diminishing a return to work.
“No, nothing measurable,” Biden said, arguing that recovery from the pandemic recession would be a “marathon” not a “sprint,” and that although “we still have a long way to go” before the labor market recovers, “this month’s jobs numbers show we’re on the right track.”
His remarks came on the heels of the Labor Department’s jobs report, which showed that U.S. private employers added just 266,000 jobs in April, a sharp drop from March’s job gain of 770,000. The report also showed the unemployment rate ticked up to 6.1 percent from 6 percent, while job openings are at near-record highs, suggesting available jobs are simply not being filled.
Republicans have cast the report as a sign of failure for Biden’s policies.
“This is a stunning economic setback, and unequivocal proof that President Biden is sabotaging our jobs recovery with promises of higher taxes and regulation on local businesses that discourage hiring and drive jobs overseas,” said Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas), the top Republican on the Ways and Means Committee, in a news release. “The White House is also in denial that many businesses—both small and large—can’t find the workers they need.”
BY TOM OZIMEK
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