Economists have said the hiring slowdown last month is a reminder of the risks facing the American economy, as health concerns put a dampener on consumer spending and temporary measures passed in March, including bans on evictions and a $600 emergency boost to unemployment benefits, expire. "As it becomes clear that businesses will be contending with a pandemic economy for some months to come, job losses are shifting from temporary to permanent," Sarah House, senior economist at Wells Fargo said. "That brings us to a more dangerous phase." While Washington lawmakers have been trying to negotiate further stimulus, many Republicans oppose a deal of the size Democrats say is necessary. Republicans want a deal to include legal protections for employers against virus-related health claims from workers. They are also pushing to reduce the $600 emergency supplement to unemployment benefits, which expired last month, and have proposed far less aid to local governments than Democrats want.
‘US jobs growth slows in July as pandemic takes toll’, BBC