North Carolina’s General Assembly passed a Republican-led bill Thursday that would withdraw the state from a federal extended unemployment-benefit program that extends a $300 weekly payment. Senate Bill 116, the “Putting North Carolina Back to Work Act,” passed by a 71-36 vote. The bill (pdf) will head to the state Senate, where members can accept the changes or reject them. The federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program, being terminated by lawmakers, extends the $300 weekly benefit to eligible unemployed and furloughed North Carolinians and is set to expire in September. “This bill is the way to restore strength in our economy, and finally move forward, to put this pandemic in the rear-view mirror,” said state House Speaker Tim Moore, a Republican. “This is a common-sense, reasonable approach to taking care of the people of this state, businesses, and the overall economy of this state.” While businesses in North Carolina have reopened, close to 59 percent …