The U.S. lost a stunning 22 million jobs in March and April at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, with only about half of those numbers returning in the following seven months. With weekly jobless claims remaining high, voters might want to know more about what former Vice President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump intend to do on the issue of labor.
Biden has pledged to do whatever it takes to help jobs recover through direct stimulus payments. His plan includes funding for state and local governments to keep essential workers on their payrolls and federal payouts to supplement state unemployment checks.
Meanwhile, Trump favors tax cuts and deregulation to stimulate the economy but concedes that another infusion of cash stimulus is likely needed. The president also extended federal unemployment benefits for six weeks after they were set to expire in July but at a lower rate of $300 a week, half the amount of the earlier benefit.
Both candidates support tax incentives for manufacturers to keep jobs at home. Biden even proposes tax penalties for those businesses that ship manufacturing jobs overseas with the intention of selling finished products back into the U.S.
Whoever wins the election in November faces a daunting task, with millions still out of work, consumer spending slowing down, and a resurgence in coronavirus cases adding to the economic woes.
Read More on Trump and Biden's Plans:
Trump vs. Biden on Raising the Federal Minimum Wage
Biden vs. Trump on Student Loans and Higher Education
Stocks are falling in early trading on Wall Street Thursday, but the losses are more subdued than the wild swings that have dominated recent weeks. At least for now.
President Trump outlined a plan to alleviate interest on student loans held by federal agencies, but the details on how people can access the economic relief during the COVID-19 outbreak remains elusive.
The Dow Jones lingered below the 20,000 marks, a third of what it was a month ago, when it closed at a record high of 29,551.42 on Feb. 12
The 2020 count was just getting started when COVID-19 hit America's shores. Now the federal agency plans to continue while preparing a contingency plan if the situation changes.
As the U.S. struggles to ramp up testing and respond to the spread of novel coronavirus within the nation’s borders, the president announced a series of stepped-up efforts to help the country and individuals.
The world's top oil-producing countries — and some GOP lawmakers — are effectively pleading with Saudi Arabia to end its price war with Russia, which has sent prices plummeting to four-year lows.
Stock trading has been halted for the fourth time this month Wednesday as S&P 500 drops 7%.
These are the headlines you Need 2 Know for Wednesday, March 18, 2020.
In a memorandum issued Wednesday, Treasury is calling for two $250 billion cash infusions to individuals: A first set of checks issued starting April 6, with a second wave in mid-May.
Stocks are falling sharply on Wall Street in early trading as fears spread that the coronavirus is causing a global recession.
