New unemployment claims won't be accepted for two weeks in California. It's part of an effort by state's Employment Development Department to reduce a backlog and stop fraud from happening, but it's not going over well with a number of state lawmakers.

"This is unacceptable," said Senator John Moorlach in a written statement. "The private sector would work on parallel tracks – use business hours to meet the needs of customers and the non-business hours to reboot and modernize the internal systems. This abuse of California's unemployed must end."

Moorlach also referenced Governor Gavin Newsom's EDD Strike Team, which he said notified legislators about the suspension of new unemployment claims at the same time a scathing report on the continuing troubles at the EDD was released publicly.

Senator Jim Nielsen also weighed in on the report. He's long been an outspoken critic of the EDD.

"If this closure is to improve services for public benefit, why the late Saturday night news dump?"

"This is not right. Government needs to work for its people in time of need. The Governor must step up. The buck stops with him."

"The constant delays and failures at the EDD highlight Governor Gavin Newsom's inability to properly prepare for shutting down California's economy," said State Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove. "What did Governor Newsom expect when he closed down tens of thousands of businesses and put millions of Californians in the unemployment line?"

The EDD Strike Team was appointed by Newsom in July.

During the suspension, people filing new claims will be asked to provide contact information, and will be notified by the state to file claims once processing resumes. The pause will not affect payments for people already in the system.

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