WASHINGTON (SPECTRUM NEWS) — After passing three coronavirus stimulus bills, Congressman Mark Pocan, D-Madison is pushing Democratic leadership in the House to provide even more support for workers and small businesses.

He and the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) held a virtual hearing with labor experts on progressive responses to the pandemic.

Ahead of the hearing, more than 100 economists sent two letters to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to expand worksharing and pass a national paycheck guarantee, legislation sponsored by Reps. Pocan and Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington.

Pocan’s bills, the Layoff Prevention Act and the Preventing Layoffs During a Public Health Emergency Act, aims to provide stable income for workers during these unstable times and support businesses in a way that would prevent and potentially reverse layoffs.

They would boost federal support for states’ worksharing programs so businesses can maintain their workforce.

So, if employers want to keep their staff but can only provide limited hours, employees can the collect the rest of their normal pay from unemployment.

“That way the employee can still get paid by the employer, get that UI (unemployed insurance) money and have more money in their pockets,” said Rep. Pocan. “The small business can ramp up as necessary and the state UI accounts essentially get less pressure put on them. It is a win-win-win across the board to do that.”

More than 20 states do not have a worksharing programs in place.

This legislation would see that all states are covered.

Rep. Jayapal’s also introduced the Paycheck Guarantee Act that would allow companies to continue paying their workers their full salary up to $100,000 a year.