Biden pushes back as Republican-led states ending increased unemployment benefits

A growing number of Republican-led states are rejecting increased unemployment benefits meant to help Americans during the coronavirus pandemic, a move they say will help business owners who can't find staff. But President Joe Biden said Monday that the enhanced federal benefits aren't why people aren't going back to work.

"The line has been because of the generous unemployment benefits, that it's a major factor in labor shortages. Americans want to work. Americans want to work." Biden said at the White House Monday. "I think the people claiming Americans won't work even if they find a good and fair opportunity underestimate the American people."  Anyone collecting unemployment who is offered a "suitable job" must take that job or lose unemployment benefits, Biden said, with several exceptions that mean people do not have to choose between their safety and a paycheck.