Reps. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.) and Jon Runyan (R-N.J.) introduced bipartisan legislation on Tuesday that would help individuals who have been unemployed for more than 27 weeks find jobs by incentivizing companies to hire them.
The Long-term Unemployed Hiring Incentive Act would extend the work opportunity tax credit program, which makes companies that hire long-term unemployed individuals eligible for a tax credit of up to $2,400.
“Although the economy is showing signs of improvement in some parts of the country, millions of Americans who are eager to get to work are still having difficulty finding jobs,” Runyan said. “With unemployment benefits set to expire on Dec. 28, these Americans will lose access to the benefits they need to make ends meet…”
Reed, Runyan and Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-N.J.) and Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.) introduced the measure.
“Finding a job can be difficult enough, even without the stigma of being out of work for a long period of time,” Reed said. “This bill will help those unemployed long-term find jobs and give employers an added incentive to hire these prospective employees. We want to get individuals back on their own two feet and ‘teach them to fish’ rather than ‘hand them a fish’ so they can support their families…”
Approximately 4.1 million Americans, or 2.6 percent of the total labor force, fall into the category of long-term unemployed.