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Today U.S. Representative David Scott (GA-13), chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, and members of the Georgia Congressional delegation announced a letter to Georgia Department of Labor (DOL) Commissioner Mark Butler urging GDOL to share its plan to address backlogged unemployment benefits for Georgians.

Co-led by Representatives Hank Johnson (GA-04), Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Lucy McBath (GA-06) and Carolyn Bourdeaux (GA-07), the letter builds on calls from the Members since the onset of the pandemic for the Georgia DOL to address the unemployment backlog created during the COVID-19 crisis, including a push led by Representative David Scott in October 2020.

“The GDOL has a responsibility to do everything in its power to ensure that the citizens of Georgia receive the assistance they applied for in times of hardship,” wrote the lawmakers in part. “While we acknowledge that factors such as initial understaffing and limited technology may have prevented GDOL from processing claims, there remain questions for how your agency plans to identify solutions to address the backlog that currently exists.”

“A system that penalizes workers by preventing them from accessing federally guaranteed unemployment benefits will plunge families across our state further into poverty,” the letter continued. “Georgians who lack access to affordable childcare, have lost employer-sponsored health insurance, and have concerns for the health and safety of their families, are entitled to the benefits they applied for. They are also entitled to complete transparency and accountability from their government. We must do more to help our constituents during these uncertain times. Thank you in advance for your attention to this important matter and we look forward to your response.”

Click here to read the full letter.

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