Array of National, State, Local Organizations Endorse Rep. Sherrill’s Bipartisan SUPPORT for New Workers Act
Update to Unemployment Insurance Benefits Would Support Business Reopenings and Protect Worker Benefits

Washington, DC –– The SUPPORT for New Workers Act, introduced by Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) alongside Reps. Peter Meijer (MI-03) and Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), has been endorsed by a growing number of local, state, and national organizations this week. The bipartisan bill helps Americans re-enter the workforce by allowing workers who have gained employment after previously receiving unemployment insurance benefits to retain $180/week of those benefits, while also continuing to provide critical assistance to millions of people who can’t find work.

“The expansion of unemployment insurance during the darkest days of the pandemic was critical to keeping millions of families out of poverty and sustaining our economy,” said Rep. Sherrill. “In order to help reopen businesses and speed up our economic recovery this summer, we must make sure we don’t disincentivize workers from returning to work. Our approach must support businesses looking to hire as they reopen, while also taking care of the workers who continue to face challenges to returning to work related to the pandemic. This legislation will help us do both. I’m thrilled by the show of support from these key national, state, and local organizations. Their voices drive home how crucial addressing this issue is, and how possible it is to build towards an economic recovery that works for everyone.”

This legislation has been endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Retail Federation, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, New Jersey Business and Industry Association, Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Morris County (NJ) Chamber of Commerce, Sussex County (NJ) Chamber of Commerce, Livingston Area (NJ) Chamber of Commerce, and Third Way.

“America’s great economic resurgence is being held back by an unprecedented workforce shortage—and it’s getting worse,” said Neil Bradley, Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “However, new polling data from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce shows hiring bonuses are an effective instrument to encourage more unemployed Americans to return to work. We commend Representatives Sherrill, Spanberger, and Meijer for introducing a bipartisan approach to addressing this very real workforce issue.”

“Our members applaud your bipartisan collaboration on this piece of legislation that seeks to address one of the most pressing issues facing our economy. We look forward to working with you to achieve its passage,” said David French, Senior Vice President of the National Retail Federation. “Incentives matter, and your legislation points workers back to work in the most constructive possible way.”

“The fact that businesses are struggling to find workers is a significant impediment to generating the full and robust post-pandemic economic rebound we all want,” said Tom Bracken, President and CEO of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.  “Getting people back to work must be a top and an immediate priority.  The NJ Chamber of Commerce supports Representative Sherrill’s recently introduced legislation as a realistic and business-friendly approach to solving this problem.”

“The provisions in the Newly Employed Worker Allowance legislation strike an important balance in incentivizing employees to return to work in a timely fashion, while not losing income as they do so,” said Michele Siekerka, President and CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association. “We have heard untold stories from our member businesses as they struggle to hire post-pandemic, even while attempting to raise wages and offering other incentives. We believe this bill will help those employers hire as they look to emerge from this labor shortage and fully reopen. We thank Reps. Sherrill, Meijer and Spanberger for their support and consideration.”

“We need to be doing all that we can to support businesses and encourage more workers to return to work,” said Barry DuVal, President and CEO of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, for the Richmond Times-Dispatch.  “This legislation offers an innovative approach to incentivize more workers to return, while not creating additional barriers or burdens for employers.”

“There is an increasingly urgent need to address the ever-worsening workforce crisis and break down the barriers to employability, including supplemental federal unemployment benefits,” said Wendy Block, Vice President of Business Advocacy and Member Engagement for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. “We appreciate the work of Reps. Meijer, Sherrill, and Spanberger on this complex problem and for putting forward a creative solution to incentivize getting Michiganders back to work.”

“This bi-partisan legislation is a step in the right direction towards re-energizing our Main Street economy in Morris County, NJ,” said Michael Stanzilis, Membership and Government Affairs Vice President of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce. “Small businesses need help with incentivizing people to come back to work. Main Street businesses are struggling to get fully staffed. In some instances, businesses are turning away customers or shortening hours. This legislation provides a landing pad to get people back to work without hurting them financially.”

“Everything needs to be done to minimize the damage to businesses at this difficult time. The goal of government should be to get everyone back to work as soon as possible, rather than encouraging individuals to stay home,” said Tammie A. Horsfield, President of the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce. “This legislation is a great first step in helping us get back to business, by supporting both the employee and employer.”

“In today’s heated political climate, we applaud Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill’s bipartisan efforts to introduce the ‘SUPPORT’ For New Workers Act,” said Monte Ehrenkranz, President of the Livingston Area Chamber of Commerce. “She has heard the complaints of small business owners in her district and has acted with an effort to get people away from unemployment and get them back to their jobs so small businesses and restaurants can properly staff and serve their communities.”

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