Political Rewind: Kemp Signals End To Federal Jobless Benefits; Is Immigration Reform Out Of Reach?

Caption

In this July 15, 2020, file photo, job seekers exercise social distancing as they wait to be called into the Heartland Workforce Solutions office in Omaha, Neb. Gov. Pete Ricketts said his office is "evaluating" the impact federal benefits have on his state’s unemployment numbers. Meanwhile, Ga. Gov. Brian Kemp joined half-a-dozen Republican state leaders in moving to end jobless benefits.

Credit: Nati Harnik, AP

Monday on Political Rewind: Federal unemployment benefits helped buoy Georgians through a difficult year of economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, Gov. Brian Kemp and several Republican lawmakers across the country are moving towards ending federally funded checks for the unemployed in their respective states.

Kemp announced last week the $300 weekly payments would end on June 26, saying the move would help push more Georgians into the workforce. Our panel discusses the latest.

Meanwhile, two Republican members of Georgia's congressional delegation face heated criticism for their roles in perpetuating lies about the 2020 election and the violent insurrection that shook the U.S. Capitol in January.

Plus, the Biden administration struggles to address longstanding issues with immigration into the United States. How feasible is congressional action on immigration? And how much is the administration's favorability among voters tied to reform?

Panelists:

Mariela Romero – Community Empowerment Director, Univision

Rene Alegria – President & CEO Mundo Hispanico Digital

Charles Kuck – Immigration Attorney

Jim Galloway – Retired Political Columnist, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution