GOP governors have "every right to" end federal unemployment benefits early, Psaki says

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Friday that Republican governors have "every right" to end federal enhanced unemployment benefits early — a possible signal the administration is unlikely to intervene when states begin to exit the programs starting as early as next week. 

To date, half of states, all led by Republicans, have announced they will end the increased $300 supplemental benefits in June and July, ahead of when they were scheduled to run out in early September. Most of the states have also announced they will end other unemployment programs created to help gig workers and self-employed people ineligible for traditional benefits as well as the program for those who have been unemployed for a long time and have exhausted state benefits. Speaking to reporters Friday at the White House, Psaki emphasized that the exit to the programs have not yet taken effect in any state. She also noted that the president has never proposed making the benefits permanent or doing so over the long term.