Should business owners be forced to pay their employees to go on strike against them? That’s what could happen if the push to extend unemployment benefits to striking workers becomes national policy.

Progressive Democrats in Congress have introduced legislation to extend unemployment insurance (UI) benefits to workers on strike, following similar measures in several Democratic-led states. Supporters say the proposal would give picketing workers financial stability during labor disputes.

Critics warn it would drive up costs for small businesses, making it harder for them to hire and retain employees.

The idea of paying unemployment benefits to striking workers isn’t new, but the reach of this latest proposal is. Currently, every state except New York and New Jersey denies UI claims from

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