Extra coronavirus unemployment benefits to start in 2 weeks: Kudlow
Economic adviser calls the Democratic coronavirus dollar amount 'way too high'
The Labor Department expects enhanced unemployment checks to go out in roughly two weeks, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said Tuesday.
"The baseline of unemployment from states is roughly $400 per person per week, that's the median. On top of that, the federal government is going to put in $300. ... We will work with [governors] if there's any complications," Kudlow told Fox News' "America's Newsroom."
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President Trump's executive actions included $400 per week in supplemental unemployment aid — a replacement of the program passed under the CARES Act earlier this year that gave unemployed people $600 a week extra until the federal program expired at the end of July.
At first, the action required states to pay for 25 percent of the $400 weekly benefit, while the federal government would pick up 75 percent. On Tuesday, Kudlow indicated the administration was backing away from that and said the administration would consider any $100 in unemployment insurance a state contribution.
People wait to speak with representatives from the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission about unemployment claims July 9, 2020, in Midwest City, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) (Associated Press)
"We modified slightly the mechanics of the deal," Kudlow said. "States can still, if they put another $100 in to raise the benefit more generally, that's fine. ... Any state who put in $100 before, and every state did, they will then qualify for the extra $300."
Kudlow also criticized Democrats for their unwillingness to pass a coronavirus relief package under $2 trillion.
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"The Democratic numbers are way too high. ... A third of it has nothing to do with COVID," Kudlow said. "That needs to be stripped out. That's Democratic left-wing wish list, take that out, chop their number down."
Fox News' Brooke Singman contributed to this report.