COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (KRDO) – As soon as COVID-19’s second relief bill is passed, some Americans can expect to receive a stimulus check next month.
Today, the House agreed to increase the value of the stimulus check from $ 600 to $ 2,000. The bill now goes to the Republican-led Senate, where its fate is uncertain on Monday night.
KRDO spoke to Colorado Springs residents who are expecting the possibility of a $ 2,000 stimulus check next month, compared to the original $ 600 stimulus check. Many say $ 600 would not be enough to help people with difficulties.
“Not $ 600 is not enough,” said Joseph Brady, a longtime Coloradan. He told KRDO that the $ 600 stimulus check would barely help him. “I’m 76 years old and I have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and I want to go back to work, but I can’t even get the injection.”
After running out of unemployment money, he now relies on an overdraft that only says eighty-one dollars a week.
“What do you do with $ 81? You can’t pay your electricity bill with this, “said Brady.
Linda Grimes, a retired nurse who is taking care of her husband, echoes Brady’s sentiment. Adding that the $ 2,000 stimulus check would be the difference between having food on the table or not.
“The $ 600? I can’t imagine living in a house with children? I can’t imagine not having food on the table or money, “said Grimes.” I’ve seen so many people, including me, who would love to have that money just to eat “.
Others, however, say that while they expect the highest check, they are willing to accept any help they can get.
“I definitely think it will be better to wait for more money, but any amount works, to be honest,” said Melvin Taylor, a Colorado Springs resident.
As for lawmakers, Colorado Senator Michael Bennet believes that there is still a long way to go, in addition to the aid package.
“The country is facing difficult months as we work to distribute the vaccine and put the economy back on track.”