releases: https://horn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=296
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://horn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=296 | Rep. Horn to Gov. Stitt: What Is Needed to Fix Unemployment? | 2020-06-26 | 2020 | 2020-06 | Democrat | House | OK | Kendra Horn | H001083 | horn.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. On Thursday, Congresswoman Horn wrote to Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, asking the governor what resources he needs to fix Oklahoma's broken unemployment system. This is the second letter Congresswoman Horn sent to Gov. Stitt offering assistance. The Governor has not yet responded to the first letter, sent by Congresswoman Horn on April 21. After hearing from hundreds of Oklahomans waiting on unemployment assistance, Congresswoman Horn conducted an unemployment assistance survey to assess where Oklahoma's unemployment program was falling short. The survey found that Oklahomans face months-long delays and multiple barriers to receive unemployment aid. The results of this survey are available here. Congresswoman Horn's letter to Governor Stitt is available here. Its text is also below: Dear Governor Stitt: Right now many Oklahoma families are hanging on by a thread. Tens of thousands of Oklahomans who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 are in crisis and have still not received the unemployment assistance they are entitled to under the CARES Act. I write today to request a list of resources and federal guidance that your Administration needs to fix Oklahoma's failed unemployment program. Forcing unemployed Oklahomans to line up before sunrise, directing them to jammed phonelines, and turning them away are not acceptable solutions, nor do they uphold the Oklahoma Standard. We must provide unemployed Oklahomans relief now. I stand ready to assist in securing any federal resources or regulatory guidance needed by your administration to fix our state's unemployment program. Three months ago, Congress passed the CARES Act, bipartisan legislation that included an estimated $260 billion for enhanced and expanded unemployment assistance for workers who lost their jobs due to the pandemic. The CARES Act funded an additional 13 weeks of unemployment assistance and expanded access to benefits for self-employed workers, independent contractors, and workers seeking part-time employment, among other provisions. All of these programs are fully federally funded, putting zero financial burden on the State of Oklahoma. Still, tens of thousands of qualifying Oklahomans have not received a dime of the support they are due. The magnitude of unemployment claims filed due to the COVID-19 pandemic creates a significant challenge for states. To address this, Congress provided nearly $11 million to the State of Oklahoma under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to hire new staff and meet the increased need for unemployment assistance. This legislation also provided no interest federal loans to cover the costs of state unemployment benefits. If our state needs additional federal support to adequately implement the unemployment assistance which Oklahomans are entitled to, please provide a description of the federal resources or regulatory guidance needed. I will work with the rest of the Oklahoma congressional delegation to fight for any necessary assistance in Congress. I hope that we can work together to ensure all Oklahomans get the help they need to make it through this pandemic. Sincerely, Kendra S. Horn Member of Congress ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |