U.S. Reps. Robert Aderholt (AL-04) and Gary Palmer (AL-06) announced their support Monday after Governor Kay Ivey announced that effective June 19, Alabama will no longer participate in all additional federal unemployment benefits related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both congressmen had previously spoken out against the supplemental unemployment benefits, especially the additional $300 in weekly payments to individuals, due to them acting as disincentives for people to work.

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The Republican Policy Committee, of which Palmer is the chair, previously released a report showing the supplemental federal benefit means many on unemployment are making $14.38 per hour in Alabama based on a 40-hour work week.

“I applaud Governor Ivey for her common-sense decision to end what was always intended to be short-term assistance,” Palmer said on Monday.

“Alabama’s unemployment rate has stayed notably lower than the national average, and we’re at a point where continued dependence on federal assistance will only hinder our recovery,” he continued. “Reopening businesses and getting people back to work are the best solution to the economic crisis of the last year, not indefinite reliance on unemployment benefits. The April Jobs Report showed the national unemployment rate rising again, which reinforces what I have heard from businesses owners – that paying people not to work results in people not willing to work, leaving businesses operating at far less than full capacity. This decision will make it easier for businesses to fully open, and I commend Governor Ivey for taking this step to help our state economy come back stronger than ever.”

Aderholt, the dean of Alabama’s U.S. House delegation, added in a social media post, “All across the 4th District people are hiring. Continuing these extended and expanded unemployment checks is a solution looking for a problem, and in fact it’s creating one. I applaud Governor Ivey for this decision.”

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn