Congress is looking to tighten eligibility requirements to qualify for the next stimulus check as it drafts its $ 1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill.
President Biden is proposing a $ 1,400 stimulus check as part of his plan, which is being used as a framework for legislation on Capitol Hill. Democrats promised that if they won the runoff elections in Georgia and the majority in the Senate, they would provide more assistance quickly.
But there is a discussion about whether to make the third round of checks more targeted amid bipartisan concerns that, without change, high-income families who were not previously eligible could obtain some form of payment.
Majority leader in the Chamber Steny Hoyer
Steny Hamilton HoyerMinimum wages push triggers democratic divisions The memo: Marjorie Taylor Greene will not run away Here are the 11 Republicans who voted to remove Greene from House committees MORE (D-Md.) He said that the limits for the next round of stimulus checks can be adjusted and are under discussion.
“I think that’s what most people raised the issue about, both in the Senate and in the House. I, frankly, think this is correct, ”said Hoyer. “I don’t want to speculate about the figure or a figure, but I think it may well be being considered for adjustment based on what was approved in December.”
Biden’s plan does not include details about the annual income limit to qualify for the full check, or how the payment amount would be reduced for people who are over that limit. But lawmakers are sending warning signals against compliance with revenue limits and the phase-out structure used during the first two rounds of checks.
In a sign of where the Capitol debate is likely to go, the Senate voted 99-1 during an all-night marathon in support of tightening eligibility requirements to ensure that “high-income taxpayers are not eligible”.
The amendment is not binding, but broad support is likely to put pressure on lawmakers drafting the bill to make changes to obtain sufficient support to pass the coronavirus relief package. Democrats are using reconciliation to pass the bill, a budgetary tool that will allow them to bypass the 60-vote legislative obstruction in the Senate and the need for support from the Republican Party.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki
Senator Jen PsakiGOP asks Biden to confirm that the US will maintain the embassy in Jerusalem. Trump, access to intelligence briefings will be determined by officials, says the White House said Biden is firmly adhering to $ 1,400 for the next check, but is open to negotiations about who is eligible and how checks are reduced to individuals who earn over the limit to receive a full check.
“It is the elimination track that is … a variable under discussion in the ongoing negotiations. There was no conclusion. But, as the president said, he is open to this discussion ”. Jared Bernstein
Jared BernsteinThe memo: Bad jobs report drives Biden’s stimulus case More than 200 Obama employees sign letter supporting Biden’s stimulus plan., a member of the Council of Economic Advisers, told reporters during a meeting at the White House.
But there is still no agreement on what changes should be made to the eligibility or structure of the checks.
Sen. Joe Manchin
Joseph (Joe) ManchinSanders criticizes Democrats willing to reduce eligibility for stimulus checks The Memorandum: Bad Jobs Report Boosts Biden’s Stimulus Case Biden expects minimum wage increases to be withdrawn from the final aid bill (DW.Va.), which offered the amendment to restrict eligibility, wants to change the structure of checks, so that no individual who earns over $ 75,000 a year or couples who earn over $ 150,000 a year receives a payment.
Manchin’s proposal would have individuals earning up to $ 50,000 and couples earning up to $ 100,000 would be paid $ 1,400. After that, the amount would drop to a ceiling of $ 75,000 for individuals and $ 150,000 for couples, his office confirmed.
A group of Republicans proposed to go further, reducing the check amount from $ 1,400 to $ 1,000, with $ 500 for adult dependents and children. Individuals earning up to $ 40,000 would receive a check for $ 1,000, with the check amount being eliminated entirely at $ 50,000.
While every senator except the senator Rand Paul
Randal (Rand) Howard PaulSunday shows the preview: Budget resolution paves the way for the 0.9 trillion stimulus; Senate prepares for impeachment trial Five conclusions from budget marathon 2024 Republican candidates draw the first lines of battle for the post-Trump era MORE (R-Ky.) Supported the non-binding amendment for the next round of relief checks, advocates acknowledged that the language was left intentionally vague.
“I think beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It depends on who you want to talk to. But I think the point of the amendment is that it is negotiable, so that we can try to bring some people on board ”, senator. Jon Tester
Jonathan (Jon) TesterRepublican 2024 aspirants draw initial battle lines for the post-Trump era Minimum wage surge triggers Democratic Senate divisions pass budget resolution, preparing bill against coronavirus MORE (D-Mont.) Told reporters.
There have been broader conversations among senators about changing the phase-out structure.
A previous proposal approved by the House at the end of last year provided a check for $ 1,400 amid bipartisan support to increase the $ 600 payment included in the end-of-year coronavirus package to $ 2,000.
But while the amount of money increased, it maintained the same structure as how the payment would be eliminated. If the bill had finally been sanctioned instead of standing still in the Senate, it would have resulted in some higher-income individuals who were not previously eligible for some form of payment, although not a full check.
“It just so happens that I agree that the Mnuchin formula on cash payments should be revised. The result of this Mnuchin formula was indefensible. … So, yes, I would be open to that ”, Sen. Dick Durbin
Dick Durbin Minor wage push triggers Democratic divisions Senate Democrats pass budget resolution, preparing bill against coronavirus Cotton tries to pressure Democrats into expanding the Supreme Court. MORE (D-Ill.) He told reporters, referring to the former Treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin
Steven MnuchinSenate signals broad support for more targeted coronavirus relief checks Bipartisan group of senators calls for more targeted relief checks Former Trump officials find labor market difficult MORE.
But Democrats may also face resistance from lawmakers in both chambers if they try to adjust eligibility for checks.
President of the Senate Budget Committee Bernie Sanders
Bernie Sanders Sanders criticizes Democrats willing to reduce eligibility for stimulus checks. Sunday program preview: Budget resolution paves the way for 0.9 trillion stimulus; Senate prepares for impeachment trial The Memo: Report of bad jobs drives Biden’s stimulus case MORE (I-Vt.) He suggested that he was open to changing the way checks would be eliminated, but that he would insist on maintaining the same income ceilings to receive a full check: $ 75,000 for individuals and $ 150,000 for couples.
“We don’t want to see people making $ 300,000 or $ 400,000 from it,” he said.
Democrats have been campaigning for months to provide another round of direct checks if the Americans hand over control of the House, Senate and White House for the first time in about a decade.
Biden, during a call with House Democrats, noted that one of the reasons he was keeping the $ 1,400 figure is because he would not “start my government by breaking a promise to the American people”.
Asked about changes to the $ 1.9 trillion proposal, the senator Ron Wyden
Ronald (Ron) Lee WydenFive things to know about Biden’s move to Yemen House approves budget resolution for the COVID-19 Warren package to join the finance, tax and health supervision panel MORE (D-Ore.) He pointed to the recent run-off elections that gave Democrats a 50-50 majority.
“We held a kind of referendum on our priorities. For example, that was what the race for the Georgia Senate was about – making sure those $ 2,000 checks were paid, ”said Wyden.
The two new senators from Georgia, Democrats Jon Ossoff
Jon OssoffSusan Sarandon criticizes Democrats for ‘baiting and calling’ .000 relief checks Senate signals broad support for more targeted coronavirus relief checks Bipartisan group of senators calls for more targeted relief measures MORE and Raphael Warnock
Raphael WarnockSusan Sarandon scolds Democrats for ‘baiting and calling’, 000 relief checks Schiff presses Newsom to be named California AG: reports Warren to join the finance panel overseeing taxes and healthcare MORE, both campaigned on the delivery of checks.
Ossoff, asking about the change in income eligibility, asked that his party be large.
“I am advocating that we grow,” he said, “and that we deliver as much direct relief to people as possible.”