Big Books & Bold Ideas with Kerri Miller

Is more economic relief from Congress on the way?

Job seekers exercise social distancing as they wait
Job seekers exercise social distancing as they wait to be called into the Heartland Workforce Solutions office in Omaha, Neb., on July 15. The extra $600 in weekly unemployment benefits has expired, the federal eviction moratorium has ended and federal money to help businesses retain workers has grown lean. Meanwhile, the pandemic rages on and there is no consensus from Washington on another relief package.
Nati Harnik | AP Photo file

Throughout the course of the pandemic, the U.S. economy lost 22 million jobs and recovered close to half of them. Despite significant hiring gains over the past four months, the unemployment rate is at 8.4 percent.

As recess comes to a close for Congress — and many families and small businesses look for a lifeline — Democrats and Republicans remain at odds over the amount of money the federal government should inject into the economy.

Two economists joined MPR News host Kerri Miller Thursday for a conversation about the changing economic landscape and what a potential recovery might look like. 

Guests:

  • J Michael Collins is faculty director at the Center for Financial Security at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

  • Caroline Fohlin is an economic historian at Emory University.

To listen to the full conversation you can use the audio player above.

Subscribe to the MPR News with Kerri Miller podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts , Spotify or RSS.