The battle over more stimulus monies for America is finally here and it already looks to be quite a hefty price tag. In our Pandemic Minute article of the day, we’re breaking down for you play-by-play of what’s happening in Washington amid negotiations among politicians to get monies to governments; Americans, and beyond.
But it won’t be an easy task considering across the political spectrum varying ideas of conscionable aid seem to be present.
Let’s begin.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has as of Tuesday publicly voiced his support for further stimulus monies to Americans. This time, however, stimulus checks might be a little different as the income caps might be significantly lower than the first time. According to multiple reports, they might cap the income requirements at no more than just about $40,000. There are numerous reports suggesting that might even go up to $75,000 but that remains unconfirmed by either side of the political spectrum.
What’s the catch?
There doesn’t appear to be a catch on this front, however, several Republicans have voiced their opposition for more monies to all Americans and not those that they have deemed “in need the most.” So in essence, they’ve apparently got some kind of system that they’ve declared who might be in need the most — while forgetting that all are actually in need during these desperate times.
Schools. Let’s talk schools.
According to proposals, this version of the stimulus bill would cover roughly $105B worth of monies to states and local governments across America. Those monies would be intended to help schools re-open in the fall and figure out the best way to do so. However that remains to be determined as many school districts have opted not to open at all — remaining online until at least next year.
At least $25B of those funds would be allocated towards temperature checks; testing, and the like for students and those involved in the day-to-day activities at American schools.
Many parents and families are rightfully concerned about sending their kids back to the classroom just as they’re desperately trying to get their kids out of the house. The problems politicians aren’t actually addressing is just how school’s will manage to socially distance students from teachers; each other, and safely manage to keep vulnerable and elderly from getting sick. Apart from students catching the virus — there are thousands of vulnerable and semi-elderly (and even elderly) educators and teaching professionals at risk of the virus across America.
What about those extra funds on top of unemployment?
Unfortunately for many Americans, it seems as if Republicans are bent on either lowering those extra monies in some way. According to Senate Republicans — they are certainly going to attempt to lower the extra $600-a-week payments to Americans to what they deem a “more acceptable amount.” Republicans maintain that their reasoning for attempting to do so is because some are realising that they are getting more money on unemployment than they would slaving away at a job.
On to the scary part. What about evictions and such? What are they doing about those?
It looks like in this bill they’re also attempting to negotiate either extending the moratorium or offering some sort of alternative. Both Senate Republicans and Senate Democrats appear to be well aware that without a solution — an economic and housing disaster of monstrous proportions would be underway in America. A disaster of that proportion would rival anything ever seen in American history.
Treasury Sec Munchin confirmed on Tuesday that he will be on Capitol Hill for the next two weeks in hopes of pushing through a deal via negotiations. Although one main sticking point remains: Republicans capped their spending bill at $1trillion — Democrats have a monster bill totalling about $3trillion (addressing at least a dozen more issues than that of the Republican version of the same proposal.)
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