South Bend Times

Today, Congressman Rudy Yakym introduced the Securing Help for Involuntary Employment Loss and Displacement (SHIELD) Act. This legislation aims to ensure that individuals who voluntarily go on strike are not eligible to receive unemployment benefits.

"Choosing not to work is just that, a choice," Rep. Yakym stated. "While far-left states like Oregon and Washington are busy handing out unemployment checks like participation trophies to anyone who walks off the job, the SHIELD Act puts an end to that nonsense. These radical policies disrupt the labor market, let workers walk off the job without consequences, and leave small businesses high and dry. If you choose to strike, you don’t get to collect a check from hardworking Americans, plain and simple."

The SHIELD Act has received support from various quarters, including the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and eight original co-sponsors: Reps. Claudia Tenney, Greg Murphy, Aaron Bean, Beth Van Duyne, Nathaniel Moran, David Rouzer, Mike Kelly, and Blake Moore.

"The SHIELD Act restores fairness to the unemployment system by ensuring benefits go to individuals who are involuntarily unemployed," Tyler Dever of NFIB remarked. "It brings balance to the employer-employee relationship and supports small businesses struggling to fill open positions. NFIB urges Congress to pass this legislation to protect the integrity of the system and strengthen the small business economy."

Earlier this year, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson and Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed bills allowing striking workers to collect unemployment benefits.