North Carolina Joins String of States Seeking End to Federal Unemployment Benefit Programs

Law enforcement stand guard outside of the state capitol building in downtown Raleigh, N.C., on Jan. 17, 2021. Logan Cyrus/AFP via Getty Images

North Carolina’s General Assembly passed a Republican-led bill Thursday that would withdraw the state from a federal extended unemployment-benefit program that extends a $300 weekly payment.

Senate Bill 116, the “Putting North Carolina Back to Work Act,” passed by a 71-36 vote. The bill (pdf) will head to the state Senate, where members can accept the changes or reject them.