It played a big role in keeping the US economy afloat during the steepest downturn on record. Economists differ somewhat in their estimates of the extent to which the generous federal supplement buoyed the country financially during the pandemic. That aid, however, runs out this week , and lawmakers are wrestling with how much to assist the unemployed in coming months. The past quarter was likely the worst on record for economic activity , and the recovery remains fragile, economists say. "The labor supply effect -- the effect unemployment benefits will have in keeping people out of the workforce -- will be much more serious," he said.

Source: CNN July 29, 2020 15:22 UTC