White House Economic Adviser Says 3 Million Jobless Claims Are 'Better Than We Expected'

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said Thursday that the latest jobs report showing just under 3 million people filing for unemployment claims last week was a promising sign for the road to recovery.

While the 2.9 million claims brought the total to roughly 36.5 million for the past eight weeks and is a "very tough number," Hassett said it was "better than we expected." The White House was anticipating a number just north of 3 million.

"I think the fact that we came in under 3 million suggests that the turning on of the economy is beginning, and it's beginning to show up with the data. What we expect now is the claims will continue to decline as the economy turns back," Hassett told reporters at the White House.

The optimism comes as nearly all states are beginning to reopen their economies by relaxing social distancing measures and allowing businesses to return to modified operating procedures. But many are doing so against the advisement of White House guidelines, prompting a warning from top infectious disease specialist Dr. Anthony Fauci that premature reopenings could lead to an overwhelming resurgence and needless "suffering and death."

Still, President Donald Trump has pressured states to loosen their restrictions amid the pandemic that has had a stranglehold on the economy.

"Good numbers coming out of States that are opening. America is getting its life back!" Trump tweeted Thursday morning. "Vaccine work is looking VERY promising, before end of year. Likewise, other solutions!"

That is an ambitious timeline. Health officials have said from the start of the health crisis that it would likely take between 12 to 18 months for a vaccine. Fauci testified to the Senate this week that he does not expect a vaccine to be available by the time schools reconvene in the Fall and that once they do develop one, there are "no guarantees" on its effectiveness.

Hassett, who is Trump's former chief economist but who returned to the job to advise during coronavirus, said the White House is beginning to more closely study jobless claims by state as they reopen.

"My fear is that the places the state closed could have sort of skyrocketing claims, and the aggregate number, could stay—could continue to increase like we're seeing right now," he continued. "But the places that are turning on could actually see claims go way back down toward normal."

Under the $2.2 trillion CARES Act passed by Congress in March, unemployment benefits were expanded. The federal government is providing individuals with an extra $600 on top of their state benefits for up to 13 weeks until the end of July.

Another stimulus proposal that the Democratic-led House is expected to pass Friday would further extend those benefits to provide eligibility through January 2021, among other things.

However, the $3 trillion piece of legislation does not have support among Republicans and will not be considered as written in the GOP-controlled Senate.