Sen. Bernie Sanders
Bernie SandersThe memo: Bad jobs report drives Biden stimulus case Biden expects minimum wage hike to be pulled from final relief bill Five conclusions from budget marathon MORE (I-Vt.) On Saturday, it hit his fellow Democrats who, he said, are seeking to reduce the eligibility limits for coronavirus stimulus checks.
The chairman of the Senate Budget Committee tweeted Saturday night it was “unbelievable” that there were some Democrats “who want to reduce their eligibility for direct payments from $ 75,000 to $ 50,000 for individuals and $ 150,000 to $ 100,000 for couples.”
“In other words, the working class that received checks from Trump would not receive them from Biden,” the Vermont senator tweeted from his personal account. “Bright!”
Unbelievable. There are some Dems who wish to reduce their income eligibility for direct payments from $ 75,000 to $ 50,000 for individuals and $ 150,000 to $ 100,000 for couples. In other words, the working class that received checks from Trump would not receive them from Biden. Bright!
– Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) February 7, 2021
Inside another tweet minutes later, Sanders posted from his Senate account that he is “vehemently” opposed to lowering the eligibility limit, adding: “In these difficult times, ALL working class people deserve all of the $ 1,400.”
“From what I hear, someone who makes $ 55,000 a year is not ‘rich’,” added Sanders.
I strongly oppose reducing the eligibility of direct payments income from $ 75,000 to $ 50,000 for individuals and $ 150,000 to $ 100,000 for couples. In these difficult times, ALL working class people deserve a total value of $ 1,400. The last time I heard that someone who makes $ 55,000 a year is not “rich”.
– Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) February 7, 2021
Several Twitter users indicated support for Sanders’ comments, including his aggressive colleague, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Alexandria Ocasio-CortezDefiant Greene attacks the media, avoids questions about previous comments Ocasio-Cortez thanks Capitol Police amid criticism of his riot experience. AOC is an asset for Democrats, Greene is an albatross for the GOP MORE (DN.Y.), who retweeted Sanders’s post, writing, “It would be outrageous if we continued to give more relief and ended up doing the opposite”.
In conclusion, $ 50k is crazy and we shouldn’t do crazy things.
– Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 7, 2021
Under President Biden’s $ 1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan, stimulus checks were set at $ 1,400, although the proposal maintained the phase out payments to individuals who made more than $ 75,000 or couples who made more than $ 150,000.
However, senators in recent days have discussed making changes to the elimination structure for the next round of stimulus checks amid a broader concern that high-income people would be eligible for payments unless Congress makes changes.
The Washington Post first reported on Tuesday that some leading Democrats were discussing a proposal to start eliminating stimulus checks for those earning more than $ 50,000 for single contributors, $ 75,000 for people who enter as heads of household and $ 100,000 for couples.
On Thursday, the Senate voted 99-1 on an amendment from Sens. Joe Manchin
Joseph (Joe) ManchinThe Memo: Bad Jobs Report Boosts Biden’s Stimulus Case Expects Minimum Wage Increase to Be Withdrawn from Final Relief Bill ENERGY OF THE NIGHT: DOJ will let companies pay for environmental projects again to reduce fines | House Democrats reintroduce green energy tax package MORE (DW.Va.) and Susan Collins
Susan Margaret CollinsThe Memorandum: Bad Jobs Report Boosts Biden’s Stimulus Case Five Lessons From the Budget Marathon Don’t Let This Unifying Moment Be Wasted MORE (R-Maine) related to “directing” checks and making sure that “high-income taxpayers are not eligible.”
“I don’t think a single person on this floor would disagree with directing relief to our neighbors who are struggling to pay their rent and put food on the table,” said Manchin before the vote.
Collins added: “Do we want stimulus checks to reach families with a family income of $ 300,000 or do we want to target assistance to families in need who need help and boost the economy?”
Sanders said in his own comments before the vote that no one supports families with an income of $ 300,000 a year by receiving a check, adding that lawmakers should support direct assistance for individuals earning up to $ 75,000 or couples earning up to $ 150,000.
The Hill reached out to Manchin, as well as the Senate majority leader Charles Schumer
Chuck SchumerOver 60 progressive groups urge Schumer to obstructionist nix Booker reintroduces bill to give all newborns, 000 savings accounts Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez, Blumenauer intend to demand that Biden declare a climate emergency MORE (DN.Y.), to comment on Sanders’ tweets on Saturday.