Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) offered his advice to the millions of Americans who lost their unemployment benefits.
Cruz responded to a headline from The Associated Press that reads, “Jobless Americans have few options as benefits expire.”
He tweeted, “Um, get a job? There are millions of vacancies, and small businesses across the Nation are desperate for workers.”
Um, get a job?
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) September 7, 2021
There are millions of vacancies, and small businesses across the Nation are desperate for workers. https://t.co/0ejI45Ja6I
The Associated Press report notes the two programs that expired on Monday provided jobless aid to Americans who were self-employed and those who worked temporary jobs.
President Joe Biden’s additional $300 weekly benefit also expired on Monday. According to the outlet, approximately 8.9 million Americans will be affected in some way by the change.
The New York Times pointed out Biden has urged some states to use funding from the $1.9 trillion relief package he signed in March to help those who are unemployed in the long run.
Biden’s chief of staff, Ron Klain, told CNN on Sunday, “We think the jobs are there.”
He added, “And we think the states have the resources they need to move people from unemployment to employment.”
The chairman of the Finance Committee, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), argued it is “clear from the economic and health conditions on the ground that we shouldn’t be cutting off benefits now.”
CNBC suggested more help could be coming soon with the $3.5 trillion budget proposal released by Democrats. The proposal would provide additional relief and benefit low-income workers and those who have children.
Some lawmakers have voiced their opposition to the proposal, including Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.), as IJR reported.
He said in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, “I, for one, won’t support a $3.5 trillion bill, or anywhere near that level of additional spending, without greater clarity about why Congress chooses to ignore the serious effects inflation and debt have on existing government programs.”
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) also previously said she opposes the plan.