Instead of being paid to stay at home, U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher is introducing a bill that will pay people more to get back to work. Also introduced by U.S. Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska, the National Signing Bonus Act of 2021 would convert the current money being used for the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation into a limited-time signing bonus for new hires. Workers would receive over $1200 after four weeks of verified employment and an additional $1200 after eight weeks of work. If it is passed, individuals would have to be hired and verify they are still employed by July 4th in order to be eligible for the bonus. With the number of help wanted signs up in northeast Wisconsin, Gallagher says the plan would reinvigorate the U.S. workforce.

He hopes to find a Democratic co-sponsor for the bill, saying the conversation about getting enough workers is an issue nationwide. Gallagher has called on Governor Tony Evers to end Wisconsin’s use of the FPUC program, saying it is ignoring the economic reality on the ground.