The livelihoods of millions of Americans have been deeply disrupted in the face of this pandemic. The U.S. economy shrank at a 31.7 percent annualized pace between April and June.16 After historically low unemployment of 3.5 percent in February, unemployment skyrocketed to 14.7 percent by April, tapering down to 7.9 percent by September as states and businesses reintroduced modified economic activity. Falling unemployment marks encouraging progress, the unemployment rate of 7.9 percent in September 2020 was the same level as in December of 2012—a full five years after the start of the Great Recession. While the economy continues to improve, significant differences exist in how well households and businesses are faring across the country. With 12.6 million people unemployed, some businesses having shuttered their doors permanently, and others uncertain if they will be able to stay afloat, it is crucial that state and local lawmakers enact policies that encourage—not thwart—recovery.17
Some federal aid was necessary as millions of Americans were prevented from working because of government stay-at-home orders while the public health crisis unfolded. However, Washington opted for massive, indiscriminate aid rather than a targeted approach tied to local public health data and trends. Through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Congress provided unprecedented assistance to unemployed workers—adding more than $350 billion in federal unemployment benefits to state benefits.18
Good economic policy should focus on empowering Americans to return to work safely and confidently. In general, Americans are faring better in states where policymakers have allowed society to resume most activities with proper safety measures, recognized their citizens’ rights and needs to earn a living, and provided in-person education options for children. Policymakers should foster environments that attract and enable work opportunities for all Americans, including eliminating unnecessary regulations and licensing requirements, respecting individuals’ right to work and to be their own bosses, repealing wage restrictions that reduce jobs, ending restrictions that limit workplace flexibility, and enabling more accessible and affordable childcare. Work and workplaces are central to American life, not just economically but also for the well-being of individuals, families, their communities, and the fabric of society.
Key Heritage Research:
- Norbert J. Michel and David R. Burton, “The Cost of Coronavirus Shutdown Orders,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3489, April 20, 2020.
- Romina Boccia and Adam N. Michel, eds., “How Congress Can Enable the Great American Economic Recovery,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3491, April 30, 2020.
- Norbert J. Michel, Paul Winfree, and Doug Badger, “Potential Long-Term Economic Consequences of the Federal Response to the COVID-19 Lockdowns,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3498, June 4, 2020.
- Adam N. Michel, “Coronavirus Doesn’t Change Good Economic Policy,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, March 5, 2020.
- Anthony Campau, “Trump Aims to Power Post-COVID-19 Economic Recovery With Regulatory Relief,” The Daily Signal, May 27, 2020.
- Rachel Greszler, “Labor Policy for COVID-19 and Beyond: Recommendations to Get Americans Back to Work,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3506, June 30, 2020.
- Rachel Greszler, “Tackling COVID-19 Unemployment: Work Opportunities and Targeted Support Beat Windfall Bonuses,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3507, July 1, 2020.
- Rachel Greszler, “The Impact of a $15 Federal Minimum Wage on the Cost of Childcare,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3584, February 11, 2021.
- David Ditch, ed., “COVID-19 Proposals Should Focus on Disease, Not Wasteful Spending Increases,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3588, February 25, 2021.
Appendix of Heritage Research
Rachel Greszler, “The Democrats Have a Secret Plan to Get a $15 Minimum Wage,” National Interest, March 8, 2021, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/the-democrats-have-secret-plan-get-15-minimum-wage.
Rachel Greszler, “Continued Improvement in Labor Market Shows Employment Opportunities, Not Unemployment Rewards, Are the Solution,” The Daily Signal, March 5, 2021, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/continued-improvement-labor-market-shows-employment-opportunities-not.
David Ditch, “5 Reasons to Avoid Another Big COVID-19 Package,” Daily Caller, March 3, 2021, https://www.heritage.org/budget-and-spending/commentary/5-reasons-avoid-another-big-covid-19-package.
Adam N. Michel and Rachel Greszler, “Despite 2 Strikes at Job-Killing Minimum Wage Hike, Senators Keep Swinging,” The Daily Signal, March 2, 2021, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/despite-2-strikes-job-killing-minimum-wage-hike-senators-keep-swinging.
David Ditch, ed., “COVID-19 Proposals Should Focus on Disease, Not Wasteful Spending Increases,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3588, February 25, 2021, https://www.heritage.org/budget-and-spending/report/covid-19-proposals-should-focus-disease-not-wasteful-spending-increases.
David Ditch, “8 Things You Must Know About Deeply Flawed COVID-19 Package,” The Daily Signal, February 22, 2021, https://
Kay C. James, “The $15 Minimum Wage Would Most Hurt the People It’s Intended to Help,” Washington Times, February 17, 2021, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/the-15-minimum-wage-would-most-hurt-the-people-its-intended-help.
Rachel Greszler, “Unintended Consequences of $15 Minimum Wage: Higher Child Care Costs,” The Daily Signal, February 12, 2021, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/unintended-consequence-15-minimum-wage-higher-child-care-costs.
Rachel Greszler, “The Impact of a $15 Federal Minimum Wage on the Cost of Childcare,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3584, February 11, 2021, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/report/the-impact-15-federal-minimum-wage-the-cost-childcare.
Rachel Greszler, “Is a $15 Minimum Wage Worth the Costs?” Kansas City Star, February 8, 2021, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/15-minimum-wage-worth-the-costs
Rachel Greszler, “6 Bleak Consequences from CBO’s Report on the $15 Minimum Wage,” The Daily Signal, February 6, 2021, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/6-bleak-consequences-cbos-report-the-15-minimum-wage.
Rachel Greszler, “Biden’s COVID Stimulus Plan to Double Minimum Wage Will Hurt the People He Wants to Help,” Think, February 5, 2021, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/bidens-covid-stimulus-plan-double-minimum-wage-will-hurt-the-people-he.
Joel Griffith, “Biden’s Swampy Stimulus Package Fails Working Americans,” Washington Times, January 28, 2021, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/bidens-swampy-stimulus-package-fails-working-americans.
Rachel Greszler, “A $15 Federal Minimum Wage: An Anchor on Struggling Businesses,” ArcaMax, January 23, 2021, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/15-federal-minimum-wage-anchor-struggling-businesses
Abigail Slagle, “Fitness Classes Are All But Banned in D.C. Over Baseless COVID-19 Fears,” The Daily Signal, December 22, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/public-health/commentary/fitness-classes-are-all-banned-dc-over-baseless-covid-19-fears.
David Ditch, Lindsey Burke, Marie Fishpaw, Rachel Greszler, and Adam Michel, “Bipartisan Senate COVID-19 Package Should Do More to Combat COVID-19, Remove Wasteful Spending,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3574, December 14, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/budget-and-spending/report/bipartisan-senate-covid-19-package-should-do-more-combat-covid-19-remove.
Rachel Greszler and Adam Michel, “5 Reasons Why More Stimulus Checks Aren’t the Answer,” Daily Signal, December 10, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/budget-and-spending/commentary/5-reasons-why-more-stimulus-checks-arent-the-answer.
David Burton, “Congress Should Not Kick Small Businesses While They Are Down,” Daily Signal, December 1, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/congress-should-not-kick-small-businesses-while-they-are-down.
David Ditch and Rachel Greszler, “Legislators Should Help Workers but Keep Airline Bailouts Grounded,” Daily Signal, November 16, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/budget-and-spending/commentary/legislators-should-help-workers-keep-airline-bailouts-grounded.
Rachel Greszler, “COVID-19 Restrictions on Schools, Businesses Drive State Jobless Rates,” Daily Signal, November 8, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/covid-19-restrictions-schools-businesses-drive-state-jobless-rates.
Joel Griffith, “3 Ways Trump Is Overstepping His Bounds Amid Pandemic,” Fulcrum, October 22, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/the-constitution/commentary/3-ways-trump-overstepping-his-bounds-amid-pandemic.
Rachel Greszler, “As Unemployment Dips to 9%, Differences Across States Show More Federal Stimulus Not Solution,” The Daily Signal, October 2, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/unemployment-dips-79-differences-across-states-show-more-federal-stimulus.
Tim Doescher, “Economy Adds 661,000 Jobs, Strengthening Case for Safely Reopening Society,” The Daily Signal, October 2, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/economy-adds-661000-jobs-strengthening-case-safely-reopening-society.
Rachel Greszler, “How a Rise in Independent Work Is Benefitting Women,” Smart Women Smart Money, September 30, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/how-rise-independent-work-benefitting-women.
Lindsey M. Burke, Marie Fishpaw, and Rachel Greszler, “Equipping American Workers and Families to Thrive,” RealClear Health, September 28, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/equipping-american-workers-and-families-thrive.
Rachel Greszler, “Defining “Contractor” Status Would Provide Some Relief for Struggling Workers and Small Businesses,” The Daily Signal, September 23, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/defining-contractor-status-would-provide-some-relief-struggling-workers.
Tim Doescher, “Unemployment Rate Drops to 8.4% as August Sees 1.4 Million More Jobs,” The Daily Signal, September 4, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/unemployment-rate-drops-84-august-sees-14-million-more-jobs.
Rachel Greszler, “Why a Safe Harbor Is Needed to Protect Gig-Workers,’ Gig-Users’ Safety,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, August 11, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/why-safe-harbor-needed-protect-gig-workers-gig-users-safety.
Tim Doescher, “Congress Needs to Do No Harm as Unemployment Falls to 10.2%,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, August 7, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/congress-needs-do-no-harm-unemployment-falls-102.
Adam N. Michel, “Why the CREATE JOBS Act Should Be an Essential Part of the Recovery,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, August 5, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/why-the-create-jobs-act-should-be-essential-part-the-recovery.
Joel Griffith, “Plunge in Investment, Production, and Consumption Requires Smart Reopening, Not More ‘Stimulus,’” Heritage Foundation Commentary, July 31, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/budget-and-spending/commentary/plunge-investment-production-and-consumption-requires-smart.
Daren Bakst and Jeremy Dalrymple, “How Congress Could and Should Modernize Federal Regulation of Meat Inspection,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, July 31, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/agriculture/commentary/how-congress-could-and-should-modernize-federal-regulation-meat-inspection.
Joel Griffith, “Why COVID-19 Eviction Moratoriums Are Unnecessary, Unfair, and Economically Harmful,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, July 31, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/housing/commentary/why-covid-19-eviction-moratoriums-are-unnecessary-unfair-and-economically.
Adam N. Michel, Rachel Greszler, Lindsey M. Burke, and Brian E. Finch, “Senate GOP Coronavirus Bill Has Some Good Provisions but Needs Serious Work,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, July 30, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/budget-and-spending/commentary/senate-gop-coronavirus-bill-has-some-good-provisions-needs-serious.
Rachel Greszler, “Congress, Don’t Re-Up the $600 Unemployment Benefit. Try This Instead,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, July 28, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/congress-dont-re-the-600-unemployment-benefit-try-instead.
Rachel Greszler, “Coronavirus Unemployment Relief Shouldn’t Include $600 Weekly Bonus Payment,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, July 24, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/coronavirus-unemployment-relief-shouldnt-include-600-weekly-bonus-payment.
Rachel Greszler, “Now Would Be a Terrible Time to Raise the Minimum Wage,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, July 16, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/now-would-be-terrible-time-raise-the-minimum-wage.
Adam N. Michel, “Congress Should Streamline Existing COVID-19 Relief, Not Add New Programs,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, July 7, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/budget-and-spending/commentary/congress-should-streamline-existing-covid-19-relief-not-add-new.
Tim Doescher, “New Jobs Report Suggest Americans Eager to Return to Work After Lockdown,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, July 2, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/new-jobs-report-suggest-americans-eager-return-work-after-lockdown.
Rachel Greszler, “Tackling COVID-19 Unemployment: Work Opportunities and Targeted Support Beat Windfall Bonuses,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3507, July 1, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/report/tackling-covid-19-unemployment-work-opportunities-and-targeted-support-beat.
Rachel Greszler, “Labor Policy for COVID-19 and Beyond: Recommendations to Get Americans Back to Work,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3506, June 30, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/report/labor-policy-covid-19-and-beyond-recommendations-get-americans-back-work.
Rachel Greszler, “What Policymakers Need to Know About ‘Misclassifications’ in Recent Unemployment Reports,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, June 16, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/what-policymakers-need-know-about-misclassifications-recent-unemployment.
Adam N. Michel, “Remote Workers Could Get Surprise Tax Bills, But States Can Protect Them,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, June 18, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/taxes/commentary/remote-workers-could-get-surprise-tax-bills-states-can-protect-them.
Adam N. Michel, “May Jobs Report Shows Why More Government Isn’t the Answer for Economic Recovery,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, June 11, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/may-jobs-report-shows-why-more-government-isnt-the-answer-economic.
Tim Doescher, “Economy Adds 2.5 Million Jobs as COVID-19 Recovery Begins,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, June 5, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/economy-adds-25-million-jobs-covid-19-recovery-begins.
Allen Guelzo, “No, We Don’t Really Need a New New Deal,” Chicago Tribune, June 4, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/markets-and-finance/commentary/no-we-dont-really-need-new-new-deal.
Norbert J. Michel, Paul Winfree, and Doug Badger, “Potential Long-Term Economic Consequences of the Federal Response to the COVID-19 Lockdowns,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3498, June 4, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/markets-and-finance/report/potential-long-term-economic-consequences-the-federal-response-the-covid.
Daren Bakst and Jeremy Dalrymple, “Reducing Federal Barriers for the Sale of Meat,” Heritage Foundation Issue Brief No. 5078, June 1, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/agriculture/report/reducing-federal-barriers-the-sale-meat.
Nicholas D. Loris and Drew Bond, “Want a Greener Recovery? Here Are Three Ways to Do It,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, May 27, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/energy-economics/commentary/want-greener-recovery-here-are-three-ways-do-it.
Rachel Greszler, “As Unemployment Keeps Rising, Congress Needs to Fix What It Broke,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, May 22, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/unemployment-keeps-rising-congress-needs-fix-what-it-broke.
Rachel Greszler and Carrie Lukas, “Democrats’ $3T Coronavirus Relief Bill Would Hurt Employers and Employees,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, May 18, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/budget-and-spending/commentary/democrats-3t-coronavirus-relief-bill-would-hurt-employers-and.
Rachel Greszler, “Americans Need Employment Opportunities, Not Unemployment Incentives,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, May 15, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/americans-need-employment-opportunities-not-unemployment-incentives.
Paul Winfree and Charmaine Yoest, “12 Urgent Actions to Reopen America and Prevent an Economic Depression,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, May 14, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/markets-and-finance/commentary/12-urgent-actions-reopen-america-and-prevent-economic-depression.
Daren Bakst, “Protecting Property Rights Now and in a Post-Pandemic Economy,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, May 13, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/economic-and-property-rights/commentary/protecting-property-rights-now-and-post-pandemic-economy.
Romina Boccia, Lindsey M. Burke, David Ditch, Adam N. Michel, and Rachel Greszler, “5 Key Provisions in Democrats’ COVID-19 Bill That Will Hurt Our Economy,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, May 13, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/budget-and-spending/commentary/5-key-provisions-democrats-covid-19-bill-will-hurt-our-economy.
Anthony B. Kim and Terry Miller, “Trump and Congress Must Work Together to Revive U.S. Economy With Free-Market Policies,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, May 13, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/markets-and-finance/commentary/trump-and-congress-must-work-together-revive-us-economy-free-market.
Nicholas D. Loris, “After Coronavirus, Forget Tariffs, Subsidies—These 3 Things Will Put Us on Road to Recovery,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, May 8, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/international-economies/commentary/after-coronavirus-forget-tariffs-subsidies-these-3-things-will.
David Ditch, “One Botched CARES Act Bailout for Airports Is More Than Enough,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, May 8, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/budget-and-spending/commentary/one-botched-cares-act-bailout-airports-more-enough.
Tim Doescher, “Unemployment Soars to 14.7% as America Loses 20.5 Million More Jobs,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, May 8, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/unemployment-soars-147-america-loses-205-million-more-jobs.
Daren Bakst, “Dispelling 2 Myths About the Meat Supply Amid COVID-19,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, May 6, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/agriculture/commentary/dispelling-2-myths-about-the-meat-supply-amid-covid-19.
Brian E. Finch, “Liability Protections Are Critical to Ensuring Economic Recovery,” Heritage Foundation Issue Brief No. 5067, May 4, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/courts/report/liability-protections-are-critical-ensuring-economic-recovery.
Rachel Greszler, “Bonus Unemployment Benefit Is Costing Jobs and Inhibiting Business Reopenings,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, May 1, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/bonus-unemployment-benefit-costing-jobs-and-inhibiting-business.
Daren Bakst, “How COVID-19 Is Affecting the Nation’s Meat Supply,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, May 1, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/agriculture/commentary/how-covid-19-affecting-the-nations-meat-supply.
Romina Boccia and Adam N. Michel, “How Congress Can Enable the Great American Economic Recovery,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3491, April 30, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/budget-and-spending/report/how-congress-can-enable-the-great-american-economic-recovery.
Drew Gonshorowski and Rachel Greszler, “The Impact of Additional Unemployment Insurance Benefits on Employment and Economic Recovery: How the $600-per-Week Bonus Could Backfire,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3490, April 29, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/report/the-impact-additional-unemployment-insurance-benefits-employment-and-economic.
Norbert J. Michel and David R. Burton, “The Cost of Coronavirus Shutdown Orders,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3489, April 20, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/economic-and-property-rights/report/the-cost-coronavirus-shutdown-orders.
James M. Roberts, “The Private Sector—Not G-20 or WHO Bureaucracies—Will Defeat COVID-19,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, April 17, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/global-politics/commentary/the-private-sector-not-g-20-or-who-bureaucracies-will-defeat-covid-19.
Rachel Greszler, “As Joblessness Soars, Paycheck Protection Program Needs More Money, Fast,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, April 17, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/joblessness-soars-paycheck-protection-program-needs-more-money-fast.
Rachel Greszler, “With Jobless Claims Soaring, Don’t Hold Aid for Small Businesses Hostage,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, April 10, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/jobless-claims-soaring-dont-hold-aid-small-businesses-hostage.
David Ditch, “Washington’s Wasteful Service Mandates Threaten the Airline Industry,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, April 7, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/transportation/commentary/washingtons-wasteful-service-mandates-threaten-the-airline-industry.
Patrick Tyrrell, “Permanent Repeal of the Jones Act Would Be a Winning Response to COVID-19,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, April 7, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/trade/commentary/permanent-repeal-the-jones-act-would-be-winning-response-covid-19. Nicholas D. Loris,
“Tariffs on Imported Oil Aren’t the Cure for the Industry’s Woes,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, April 7, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/energy-economics/commentary/tariffs-imported-oil-arent-the-cure-the-industrys-woes.
Tim Doescher, “COVID-19 Rocks Hospitality Industry as Economy Sheds 701,000 Jobs,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, April 3, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/covid-19-rocks-hospitality-industry-economy-sheds-701000-jobs.
Rachel Greszler, “In the Wake of COVID-19, Workplace Flexibility May Change for the Better,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, April 3, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/the-wake-covid-19-workplace-flexibility-may-change-the-better.
Rachel Greszler, “As Unemployment Nears 10%, Here’s How Congress Can Soften the Blow,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, April 2, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/unemployment-nears-10-heres-how-congress-can-soften-the-blow.
Romina Boccia, Lindsey M. Burke, David R. Burton, Rachel Greszler, Adam N. Michel, Norbert J. Michel, Jude Schwalbach, Parker Sheppard, and Paul Winfree, “Congress Should Focus on Pandemic Control and Fix the CARES Act for an Economic Rebound,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3484, April 2, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/budget-and-spending/report/congress-should-focus-pandemic-control-and-fix-the-cares-act-economic.
Nicholas D. Loris, “Costly, Ineffective Climate Mandate for Airlines Rightly Left at Gate in COVID-19 Bill,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, April 1, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/environment/commentary/costly-ineffective-climate-mandate-airlines-rightly-left-gate-covid-19-bill.
GianCarlo Canaparo, “Little of Pelosi’s Wish List Made It Into COVID-19 Relief Bill. That’s a Relief in Itself,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, March 28, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/progressivism/commentary/little-pelosis-wish-list-made-it-covid-19-relief-bill-thats-relief-itself.
Nicholas D. Loris, “A Government-Managed Alliance With Saudi Arabia Isn’t the Solution for Low Oil Prices,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, March 28, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/energy-economics/commentary/government-managed-alliance-saudi-arabia-isnt-the-solution-low-oil.
Rachel Greszler and John Fleming, “4 Charts Show Why Temporary, Targeted Support Beats Checks to Everyone,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, March 27, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/budget-and-spending/commentary/4-charts-show-why-temporary-targeted-support-beats-checks-everyone.
Rachel Greszler, “Unemployment Claims Just Spiked 1,000%. How the Left’s Approach Will Make It Worse,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, March 27, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/unemployment-claims-just-spiked-1000-how-the-lefts-approach-will-make-it.
Daren Bakst, “3 Fixes to Ensure a Stable Food Supply During the Coronavirus Pandemic,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, March 25, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/agriculture/commentary/3-fixes-ensure-stable-food-supply-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic.
Mike Gonzalez, “Pelosi’s Identity Politics Pork Barrel,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, March 24, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/civil-society/commentary/pelosis-identity-politics-pork-barrel.
Rachel Greszler, “13 Key Things to Know About the Senate’s Giant Coronavirus Bill,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, March 24, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/public-health/commentary/13-key-things-know-about-the-senates-giant-coronavirus-bill.
Hans A. von Spakovsky and Mike Gonzalez, “Poison Policy: An Unfair Housing Regulation Leftover From the Obama Era Creates Unnecessary Chaos,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, March 24, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/housing/commentary/poison-policy-unfair-housing-regulation-leftover-the-obama-era-creates.
Rachel Greszler, “Coronavirus Increasing Unemployment—Here’s How to Help Workers and Their Employers,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, March 21, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/coronavirus-increasing-unemployment-heres-how-help-workers-and-their.
Lindsey M. Burke, David R. Burton, Marie Fishpaw, Rachel Greszler, Adam N. Michel, Norbert J. Michel, Parker Sheppard, and Paul Winfree, “The Senate’s Coronavirus Bill: Bailouts, Missed Opportunities, and Positive Reforms,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3479, March 20, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/public-health/report/the-senates-coronavirus-bill-bailouts-missed-opportunities-and-positive.
David Ditch, “Coronavirus Aid for Travel Industry: Prepayments, Tax Relief, Not Bailouts,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, March 20, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/budget-and-spending/commentary/coronavirus-aid-travel-industry-prepayments-tax-relief-not-bailouts.
Rachel Greszler, “Costly New Sick Leave Mandate Would Hurt Businesses,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, March 19, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/costly-new-sick-leave-mandate-would-hurt-businesses.
David R. Burton, Marie Fishpaw, Norbert J. Michel, Parker Sheppard, and Paul Winfree, “The ‘Third Inning’: Next Steps for Congress in Addressing the Coronavirus,” Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 3477, March 17, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/public-health/report/the-third-inning-next-steps-congress-addressing-the-coronavirus.
Rachel Greszler, “A Simple Way to Help Workers and Employers Hurt by Coronavirus,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, March 15, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/simple-way-help-workers-and-employers-hurt-coronavirus.
Nicholas D. Loris, “What Do Collapsing Oil Prices Mean for America?” Heritage Foundation Commentary, March 13, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/energy-economics/commentary/what-do-collapsing-oil-prices-mean-america.
Rachel Greszler and Adam N. Michel, “How Congress Can Help Retirees Amid Market Turmoil,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, March 13, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/markets-and-finance/commentary/how-congress-can-help-retirees-amid-market-turmoil.
David R. Burton, Norbert J. Michel, Parker Sheppard, and Paul Winfree, “Sound Policy Responses to the Economic Consequences of the Coronavirus,” Heritage Foundation Issue Brief No. 5046, March 11, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/markets-and-finance/report/sound-policy-responses-the-economic-consequences-the-coronavirus.
Rachel Greszler, “Coronavirus Shows Government Paid Leave a Bad Fit for Employees’ Needs,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, March 8, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/coronavirus-shows-government-paid-leave-bad-fit-employees-needs.
Joel Griffith, “National Housing Controls Would Shrink Supply of Affordable Housing,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, March 6, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/housing/commentary/national-housing-controls-would-shrink-supply-affordable-housing.
Tim Doescher, “Economy Adds 273,000 Jobs as Coronavirus Brings New Uncertainty,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, March 6, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/jobs-and-labor/commentary/economy-adds-273000-jobs-coronavirus-brings-new-uncertainty.
Adam N. Michel, “Coronavirus Doesn’t Change Good Economic Policy,” Heritage Foundation Commentary, March 5, 2020, https://www.heritage.org/monetary-policy/commentary/coronavirus-doesnt-change-good-economic-policy.
ENDNOTES:
16. Bureau of Economic Analysis, “Gross Domestic Product, 2nd Quarter 2020 (Second Estimate); Corporate Profits, 2nd Quarter 2020 (Preliminary Estimate),” August 27, 2020, https://www.bea.gov/news/2020/gross-domestic-product-2nd-quarter-2020-second-estimate-corporate-profits-2nd-quarter (accessed September 2, 2020).
17. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “The Unemployment Situation–September 2020,” October 2, 2020, https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm (accessed August 10, 2020).
18. According to this money tracker, $353.6 billion in unemployment benefits had been committed or dispersed as of August 25, with up to $456.2 billion to be spent: Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, COVID Money Tracker, updated October 5, 2020, https://beta.covidmoneytracker.org/explore-data/interactive-table (accessed October 6, 2020).
