The Senate apparently doesn’t think anyone needs new stimulus checks

[Andy Meek]

• The Republican-controlled Senate is scheduled to vote on a new stimulus bill on Thursday, after a previous accord on new coronavirus relief languished in the body for weeks.
• One thing this new bill won't have is funding for a new round of coronavirus stimulus checks.
• President Trump has floated his own proposal for funding new stimulus checks that calls for dipping into an unused pool of federal funds.

Most Americans could no doubt use a new stimulus check right about now, given the economic pain that's accompanied these many months of the coronavirus pandemic and the fact that the only direct relief people have gotten so far is a $1,200 check (or $2,400 for married couples). Nevertheless, guess what won't be included in the new stimulus bill that the GOP-controlled Senate is scheduled to vote on Thursday?

This new vote is a product of the Senate being unable to reach an accord on a previous stimulus bill that emerged shortly before the body went on its traditional August recess. Though Republicans control the chamber, they were essentially warring with two other groups over the bill -- Democrats, who want a measure to be as expansive and loaded with benefits as possible, as well as hard-line Republicans for whom the priority is as low a price tag as possible. That stalemate has set the stage for Thursday's vote on the Delivering Immediate Relief to America’s Families, Schools and Small Businesses Act, which will offer about $500 billion in coronavirus relief -- half of the price of the previous bill that the Senate couldn't agree on, and much less than the $1.3 trillion figure that Republicans themselves proposed during a previous round of negotiating with Democrats. Also not in this new bill: Funding for one of the most popular elements, new stimulus checks.

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The Senate apparently doesn’t think anyone needs new stimulus checks originally appeared on BGR.com on Wed, 9 Sep 2020 at 14:20:54 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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