As federal lawmakers prepare to debate another coronavirus emergency package, the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) reports that the number of people apparently collecting Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits far exceeds — by nearly 6 million — the total number who have applied to get on the temporary benefits program. Important decisions impacting employers will be made soon, including whether to extend the $600 per week federal bonus payments (which AEI says has resulted in five of six workers earning more in unemployment benefits than wages) . The think tank says that as options are weighed, “policymakers — and all Americans — deserve an accurate accounting of the number collecting these benefits.” 7/15/2020