Scalia open to extending jobless benefits, but with changes

Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia told a Senate panel Tuesday that he’s open to extending jobless benefits given by Congress this spring, but added that the strong May jobs report meant the policy should change.

Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, set the tone for the Senate Finance Committee hearing with an extended review of whether the $600 plus-up to unemployment benefits approved in a roughly $2 trillion COVID-19 relief law created a disincentive for workers to get back to the job.

“One thing we’ve learned is how poorly targeted the additional $600 per week payments are, as it appears most recipients are being