On President’s Day, progressive politicians and social media journalists pressured Congress and President Joe Biden for the $ 1,400 stimulus checks that Democrats promised to deliver to Americans.
Before taking office, Biden said he wanted to act “boldly and urgently” to get checks through Congress. “We don’t have a second to lose when it comes to giving the American people the relief they desperately need,” he said. But weeks have passed since Biden’s inauguration and the installation of a new Congress, and the president’s stimulus plan has yet to be approved.
On Twitter, former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner wrote “44 days”, alongside a February 13 tweet that said “it has been 42 days since we installed a new Congress. It’s time for American people receive their checks for $ 2,000 “. Turner is currently running for the US House in the 11th district of Ohio.
Vermont independent senator Bernie Sanders wrote: “The Covid relief bill, when passed, will do very well for American workers, but one thing that simply cannot be emphasized enough is that it will cut child poverty in half – the biggest reduction in the modern economic history. That’s why we must act and act quickly. “
Covid’s relief bill, when passed, will do American workers very well, but one thing that simply cannot be emphasized enough is that it will cut child poverty in half – the biggest reduction in modern history. That is why we must act and act quickly.
– Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) February 15, 2021
Progressive journalist Walker Bragman wrote: “Joe Biden has been in office for almost a month with a Democratic House and Senate. Still no $ 2,000 relief checks …”
Joe Biden has been in office for almost a month with a Democratic House and Senate. No $ 2,000 relief checks yet …
– Walker Bragman (@WalkerBragman) February 15, 2021
On Sunday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden would discuss $ 1,400 stimulus checks with US voters this week, as he hit the road for his first official trip as president.
“The president is looking forward to leaving the country, talking to people about his plans for help, writing checks in his hands, expediting the distribution of vaccines and reopening schools,” Psaki told The Wall Street Journal.
“That has been his focus for some time,” she added, “but he will redouble his efforts in the days and weeks to come.”
Jeff Fusco / Getty
The matter has become predictably controversial among Congressional lawmakers. Some Republicans feel that direct payments are too expensive and others call for more strict payment criteria so that only low-income people can receive them.
On February 6, minority mayor Nancy Pelosi said that Congress would approve the $ 1,400 checks “before the end of February”. But checks may need to be approved in the Senate without Republican support.
Senate Democrats could approve stimulus checks using a procedure called budget reconciliation, which would bypass the need for Republican support. However, such a procedure would require all Senate Democrats to approve the measure, and West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin said he is not comfortable passing legislation without Republican support.
In a December 10 speech, Sanders emphasized that tens of millions of Americans lost their jobs and health insurance during the pandemic. Some have exhausted their savings, avoided health care, are starving or owe thousands of rent arrears once the national eviction moratorium ends, he said, adding that the black and Latin communities were hit particularly hard.
Newsweek contacted Sanders’ office for comment.