Dems tighten relief benefits, firm up support for virus bill
3 years, 10 months ago

Dems tighten relief benefits, firm up support for virus bill

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy President Joe Biden and Democrats agreed to tighten eligibility limits for stimulus checks bowing to party moderates as leaders prepared to move their $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill through the Senate At the same time, the White House and top Democrats stood by progressives and agreed that the Senate package would retain the $400 weekly emergency unemployment benefits included in the House-passed pandemic legislation. Under Wednesday’s agreement, the Senate bill would instead halt the payments completely for individuals making $80,000 and couples earning $160,000, said a Democratic official, who described the agreement only on condition of anonymity. The liberal Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy estimated that the pared-down Senate eligibility levels means 280 million adults and children would receive stimulus checks, compared to 297 million people under the House plan. In a swipe at moderates, Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., a leader of his chamber’s progressives, called the new phase-out of relief checks a “silly and stupid” effort to appease “the one or two people who can hold things up.” Yet asked if the change could threaten the overall bill, Pocan said, “Let’s hope they don’t screw too many things up.

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History of this topic

Congress Sends $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Bill To Biden’s Desk
3 years, 9 months ago

Congress Sends $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Bill To Biden’s Desk

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING WASHINGTON — House Democrats gave final approval Wednesday to the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden’s desk for a pit stop before another round of stimulus checks are sent out to most Americans. The bill includes $1,400 stimulus checks for most Americans, extends $300 weekly unemployment benefits into September, establishes about …

Covid rescue plan expected to pass US Congress Wednesday
3 years, 9 months ago

Covid rescue plan expected to pass US Congress Wednesday

Live Mint  

US President Joe Biden's massive relief plan is on track to cross the finish line Wednesday with a final House vote, stimulating an economy digging out from the coronavirus pandemic and offering a lifeline for millions of families. If it reaches his desk, Biden -- who made the American Rescue Plan his top legislative priority -- could sign the historic …

Republicans call the COVID-19 relief bill a ‘liberal wish list.’ Democrats are owning that
3 years, 10 months ago

Republicans call the COVID-19 relief bill a ‘liberal wish list.’ Democrats are owning that

LA Times  

President Biden speaks during an event Monday in the East Room of the White House. One measure of the bill’s sweep is a host of provisions Democrats have long sought — on topics including health insurance premiums, child care and pensions — that would amount to major pieces of legislation on their own. But on the COVID bill, he has …

Biden, Dems prevail as Senate OKs $1.9T virus relief bill
3 years, 10 months ago

Biden, Dems prevail as Senate OKs $1.9T virus relief bill

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — An exhausted Senate narrowly approved a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill Saturday as President Joe Biden and his Democratic allies notched a victory they called crucial for hoisting the country out of the pandemic and economic doldrums. “And everything in this package is designed to relieve the suffering and to meet the most urgent needs of the nation, …

Senate Passes $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Bill
3 years, 10 months ago

Senate Passes $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Bill

Huff Post  

Senators worked overnight through Saturday morning to get through a deluge of Republican amendments to the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, which passed the Senate on Saturday. Alex Wong/Getty Images The Senate has passed President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, the American Rescue Plan, with $1,400 direct payments to many Americans, a $300 weekly unemployment benefit until September …

Senate Dems strike jobless aid deal, relief bill OK in sight
3 years, 10 months ago

Senate Dems strike jobless aid deal, relief bill OK in sight

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Senate leaders and moderate Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin struck a deal late Friday over emergency jobless benefits, breaking a logjam that had stalled the party’s showpiece $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill. The House approved a relief bill last weekend that included $400 weekly jobless benefits — on top of regular state payments — through August. As the day …

Democrats Reach Deal On Unemployment Benefits In COVID-19 Relief Bill
3 years, 10 months ago

Democrats Reach Deal On Unemployment Benefits In COVID-19 Relief Bill

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Democrats have conceded to Sen. Joe Manchin’s demands on enhanced unemployment insurance, agreeing to smaller benefits for unemployed Americans after a nine-hour stalemate on the Senate floor. Manchin, a key swing vote, abruptly halted the passage of the $1.9 trillion proposal Friday, throwing Democrats into chaos by threatening to vote for a Republican amendment on the bill …

By slimmest of margins, Senate takes up $1.9T relief bill
3 years, 10 months ago

By slimmest of margins, Senate takes up $1.9T relief bill

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Senate voted by the slimmest of margins Thursday to begin debating a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, after Democrats made eleventh-hour changes aimed at ensuring they could pull President Joe Biden’s top legislative priority through the precariously divided chamber. Biden and Senate leaders had agreed Wednesday to retain the $400 weekly jobless payments included in the version …

Senate Advances $1.9 Trillion Coronavirus Relief Bill Despite GOP Opposition
3 years, 10 months ago

Senate Advances $1.9 Trillion Coronavirus Relief Bill Despite GOP Opposition

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING The Senate voted to begin debate on President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package on Thursday after Democrats agreed among themselves on the final details of the bill, which includes funding for schools, vaccine distribution and jobless benefits. Sen. Joe Manchin wanted to keep unemployment benefits at their current $300 per week in addition to ending …

WH says relief checks to go to most who got December payment
3 years, 10 months ago

WH says relief checks to go to most who got December payment

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Roughly 98% of U.S. households …

Democrats Say Relief Programs Could Become This Generation's New Deal
3 years, 10 months ago

Democrats Say Relief Programs Could Become This Generation's New Deal

NPR  

Democrats Say Relief Programs Could Become This Generation's New Deal Enlarge this image toggle caption Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP One of the key aims of President Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill is to send money to people who were already at risk of falling behind on bills or slipping into poverty. Democrats say the relief bill set …

Democrats Say Relief Programs Could Become This Generation's New Deal
3 years, 10 months ago

Democrats Say Relief Programs Could Become This Generation's New Deal

NPR  

Democrats Say Relief Programs Could Become This Generation's New Deal Democrats are using the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill to introduce measures they say will reduce poverty. On top of the small business loans and money for health care included in previous bills, the latest round of relief includes longtime Democratic priorities, including billions of dollars for food stamps, rent …

Here's What's In House Democrats' $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Plan
3 years, 10 months ago

Here's What's In House Democrats' $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Plan

NPR  

Here's What's In House Democrats' $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Plan Enlarge this image toggle caption Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images The House Budget Committee has approved legislation advancing President Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, setting a path for intense debate in the Senate. New financial support for parents: Democrats approved a major temporary overhaul to the child tax …

Democrats Take First Step To Pass COVID-19 Relief With Or Without Republicans
3 years, 11 months ago

Democrats Take First Step To Pass COVID-19 Relief With Or Without Republicans

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Democrats have officially started the process of getting their nearly $2 trillion COVID-19 relief bill passed ― with or without Republicans’ support. The budget resolution came with instructions to pass up to $1.9 trillion in additional spending that Democrats say they want to put toward $1,400 checks, extending unemployment insurance programs currently set to expire in March …

3 reasons Americans need more federal aid
3 years, 11 months ago

3 reasons Americans need more federal aid

CNN  

Washington CNN — Congress has approved trillions in relief funds for Americans suffering because of the pandemic recession, but President Joe Biden thinks the country needs even more. The economy is still getting worse During the first week of the year, the number of new people applying for unemployment benefits soared above 900,000 for the first time since August. Traditional …

Senate GOP stalls Democrats’ push for $2,000 stimulus checks
4 years ago

Senate GOP stalls Democrats’ push for $2,000 stimulus checks

LA Times  

On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked an attempt to vote on whether to increase the amount of stimulus checks from $600 to $2,000. President Trump’s push for bigger, $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks stalled out Tuesday in the Senate as Republicans blocked a swift vote proposed by Democrats and split within their own ranks over whether to boost spending …

House Passes $2,000 Coronavirus Stimulus Check Legislation
4 years ago

House Passes $2,000 Coronavirus Stimulus Check Legislation

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING After President Donald Trump reluctantly signed the coronavirus relief legislation Sunday night, House Democrats still moved ahead Monday with passing new legislation to increase stimulus checks to $2,000 for most Americans, putting Republicans on the record as opposing the increase in direct payments. The House passed the stimulus check legislation 275-134, with 130 Republicans, two Democrats and …

Trump allies convinced president to sign relief legislation by ‘playing to his vanity’, report says
4 years ago

Trump allies convinced president to sign relief legislation by ‘playing to his vanity’, report says

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Donald Trump finally signed legislation deploying critically needed aid during …

Trump signs massive measure funding government, COVID relief
4 years ago

Trump signs massive measure funding government, COVID relief

Associated Press  

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump signed a $900 billion pandemic relief package Sunday, ending days of drama over his refusal to accept the bipartisan deal that will deliver long-sought cash to businesses and individuals and avert a federal government shutdown. “The compromise bill is not perfect, but it will do an enormous amount of good for struggling …

Trump Begrudgingly Signs COVID-19 Relief Bill, Government Spending, Averting Shutdown
4 years ago

Trump Begrudgingly Signs COVID-19 Relief Bill, Government Spending, Averting Shutdown

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING After throwing the bill into doubt earlier this week, President Donald Trump caved Sunday night and signed the coronavirus relief and federal spending measure, averting a government shutdown and ensuring millions of unemployed Americans get some relief going into the new year. Trump said he wanted to increase direct stimulus payments from $600 to $2,000 ― as …

$900 billion COVID relief bill passed by Congress, sent to Trump
4 years ago

$900 billion COVID relief bill passed by Congress, sent to Trump

Live Mint  

Congress passed a $900 billion pandemic relief package that would finally deliver long-sought cash to businesses and individuals and resources to vaccinate a nation confronting a frightening surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths. “So much needed relief just in time for the holidays.” The $300 per week bonus jobless benefit was half the supplemental federal unemployment benefit provided under the …

US Congress passes $900 bn stimulus package; relief measures necessary but insufficient, say economists
4 years ago

US Congress passes $900 bn stimulus package; relief measures necessary but insufficient, say economists

Firstpost  

The package will revive supplemental unemployment benefit for millions of unemployed Americans and provide for another round of $600 direct payments to adults and children Congress on Monday night approved a $900 billion stimulus package that would send billions of dollars to American households and businesses grappling with the economic and health toll of the pandemic. Though the $900 billion …

The COVID Relief Bill Makes One Big, Risky Bet
55 years ago

The COVID Relief Bill Makes One Big, Risky Bet

Slate  

The simplest way to think about the new, roughly $900 billion coronavirus relief package that Democrats and Republicans finally agreed to on Sunday night, after months of frigid stalemate, is that it’s a bridge to the spring. It puts cash in the hands of families, with a new round of $600 checks and an extra $300 per week of unemployment …

Congress approves new stimulus plan that includes checks for many Americans
4 years ago

Congress approves new stimulus plan that includes checks for many Americans

LA Times  

Congress on Monday approved a spending bill providing a new round of economic stimulus to millions of Americans struggling during the coronavirus pandemic, in a massive piece of legislation stuffed with a buffet of unrelated provisions that include halting so-called “surprise medical billing” and creating new Smithsonian museums dedicated to Latinos and women. The bill gives them a fighting chance.” …

Congress Passes $900 Billion Coronavirus Relief Bill, Ending Months-Long Stalemate
4 years ago

Congress Passes $900 Billion Coronavirus Relief Bill, Ending Months-Long Stalemate

NPR  

Congress Passes $900 Billion Coronavirus Relief Bill, Ending Months-Long Stalemate Enlarge this image toggle caption Jacquelyn Martin/AP Jacquelyn Martin/AP Updated Tuesday at 11:40 a.m. Sponsor Message Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., criticized Democrats for insisting on a larger package for months and said, "With a new President-elect of their own party, everything changed. Although the overall contours of the …

Congress seals agreement on $900 billion COVID relief bill
4 years ago

Congress seals agreement on $900 billion COVID relief bill

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Top Capitol Hill negotiators sealed a deal Sunday on a $900 billion COVID-19 economic relief package, finally delivering long-overdue help to businesses and individuals and providing money to deliver vaccines to a nation eager for them. The agreement, announced by congressional leaders, would establish a temporary $300 per week supplemental jobless benefit and a $600 direct stimulus payment …

Snags on COVID-19 relief may force weekend sessions
4 years ago

Snags on COVID-19 relief may force weekend sessions

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The central elements of a hard-fought compromise appeared …

Lawmakers Near Deal On COVID-19 Relief, Including Stimulus Checks
4 years ago

Lawmakers Near Deal On COVID-19 Relief, Including Stimulus Checks

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING After two rounds of negotiations Tuesday, House and Senate leaders are near a deal on a big COVID-19 relief bill that would include another round of stimulus checks and an extra $300 per week in unemployment benefits. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy met Tuesday evening with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and …

Stimulus checks: Hill leaders eye second round of aid as part of $900 billion Covid relief deal
4 years ago

Stimulus checks: Hill leaders eye second round of aid as part of $900 billion Covid relief deal

CNN  

Washington CNN — Congressional leaders, after months of a bitter stalemate and as millions of Americans have been eager for relief, are finally indicating they’re nearing a deal on a new rescue package that could pass both chambers within days. The price tag for a stimulus deal could be close to $900 billion, a source familiar tells CNN, though many …

Democrats squeezed as COVID-19 relief talks continue
4 years ago

Democrats squeezed as COVID-19 relief talks continue

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Top Washington negotiators continued to reach for a long-delayed agreement on COVID-19 relief on Monday, but rank-and-file Democrats appeared increasingly resigned to having to drop, for now, a scaled-back demand for fiscal relief for states and local governments whose budgets have been thrown out of balance by the pandemic. “We cannot leave for the holidays without getting relief …

Bernie Sanders brands $600 Covid stimulus check proposal ‘crap’
4 years, 1 month ago

Bernie Sanders brands $600 Covid stimulus check proposal ‘crap’

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Bernie …

Lawmakers say COVID-19 relief bill won’t offer $1,200 checks
4 years, 1 month ago

Lawmakers say COVID-19 relief bill won’t offer $1,200 checks

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — With time running out, lawmakers on Sunday closed in on a proposed COVID-19 relief bill that would provide roughly $300 in extra federal weekly unemployment benefits but not another round of $1,200 in direct payments to most Americans, leaving that issue for President-elect Joe Biden to wrestle over with a new Congress next year. “The Democrats have always …

COVID-19 relief: What’s on the table as Congress seeks deal
4 years, 1 month ago

COVID-19 relief: What’s on the table as Congress seeks deal

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — After numerous fits and starts and months of inaction, optimism is finally building in Washington for a COVID-19 aid bill that would offer relief for businesses, the unemployed, schools, and health care providers, among others struggling as caseloads are spiking. ___ JOBLESS BENEFITS The CARES Act created a $600 per-week bonus COVID-19 unemployment benefit that sustained household incomes …

COVID-19 relief: What’s on the table as Congress seeks deal
4 years, 1 month ago

COVID-19 relief: What’s on the table as Congress seeks deal

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — After numerous fits and starts and months of inaction, optimism is finally building in Washington for a COVID-19 aid bill that would offer relief for businesses, the unemployed, schools, and health care providers, among others struggling as caseloads are spiking. ___ JOBLESS BENEFITS The CARES Act created a $600 per-week bonus COVID-19 unemployment benefit that sustained household incomes …

McConnell rebuffs bipartisan Covid proposal while circulating another partisan GOP bill
4 years, 1 month ago

McConnell rebuffs bipartisan Covid proposal while circulating another partisan GOP bill

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Senate …

COVID delay: New coronavirus relief slipping past election
4 years, 2 months ago

COVID delay: New coronavirus relief slipping past election

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Liberal economist Jared Bernstein, who worked for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in 2009 …

New stimulus checks, enhanced unemployment unlikely as Congress fractures over coronavirus relief
4 years, 3 months ago

New stimulus checks, enhanced unemployment unlikely as Congress fractures over coronavirus relief

LA Times  

The congressional stalemate over a new coronavirus relief package grew further entrenched Thursday as Senate Democrats blocked a slimmed-down Republican proposal that they deemed “emaciated” because it did not include another round of $1,200 stimulus checks for Americans, assistance for state governments and other economic aid. “There could be a chance for Pelosi and Schumer and the White House to …

Negotiators report progress in coronavirus relief talks
4 years, 5 months ago

Negotiators report progress in coronavirus relief talks

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers reported progress on a huge coronavirus relief bill Saturday, as political pressure mounts to restore an expired $600-per-week supplemental unemployment benefit and send funding to help schools reopen. “This was the longest meeting we’ve had and it was more productive than the other meetings,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who was part of the rare …

GOP coronavirus plan includes another $1,200 check, cuts unemployment benefit to $200
4 years, 5 months ago

GOP coronavirus plan includes another $1,200 check, cuts unemployment benefit to $200

LA Times  

Senate Republicans on Monday rolled out the major pieces of a $1-trillion economic relief plan that would provide a second round of $1,200 coronavirus stimulus payments to many American adults and slash enhanced federal unemployment payments from $600 a week to $200. On the $600 federal unemployment benefits that many laid-off workers have been relying on for months, Republicans would …

Highlights of Democrats’ $3 trillion-plus virus relief bill
4 years, 7 months ago

Highlights of Democrats’ $3 trillion-plus virus relief bill

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Democrats controlling the House have unveiled a $3 trillion-plus coronavirus relief bill — the fifth coronavirus response legislation so far — and are planning to pass the measure on Friday. ___ HAZARD PAY FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS Creates a $200 billion “heroes fund” that would provide a “hazard pay” supplement for essential workers such as first responders, health care …

The New Coronavirus Relief Bill Is a Disappointment
4 years, 8 months ago

The New Coronavirus Relief Bill Is a Disappointment

Slate  

Slate is making its coronavirus coverage free for all readers. The Senate passed a new, $484 billion “interim” relief bill on Tuesday night, which will provide more money for struggling small businesses and hospitals while setting aside funding for a national testing effort—all good things. When the $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program, the government’s main rescue vehicle for small and …

Relief checks are a lifeline for some, a cushion for others
4 years, 8 months ago

Relief checks are a lifeline for some, a cushion for others

Associated Press  

Millions of Americans received government relief checks this week, and more are on the way. The one-time relief payments will offset some of the economic shock of the health crisis, said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. Credit counselors received a flurry of calls fomr people worried that debt collectors would take their payments to cover outstanding debts, said …

Democrats and GOP on collision course over new emergency relief package
4 years, 9 months ago

Democrats and GOP on collision course over new emergency relief package

CNN  

CNN — Democratic leaders are on a collision course with top Republicans over the next round of emergency funding to help the struggling economy, with the two sides at odds over the scope of a package that GOP leaders are pushing to immediately approve in the Senate. The latest round of jockeying came after the White House proposed an additional …

Show Me The Relief Money – No Promises On When Coronavirus Checks Are Coming
4 years, 9 months ago

Show Me The Relief Money – No Promises On When Coronavirus Checks Are Coming

NPR  

Show Me The Relief Money – No Promises On When Coronavirus Checks Are Coming Enlarge this image toggle caption Xinhua News Agency/Getty Images Xinhua News Agency/Getty Images The $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief package marks the largest rescue package in American history. Under the plan, single people earning incomes below $75,000 will receive as much as $1,200 as "direct payments into …

Chuck Schumer Calls For At Least $750 Billion To Help Economy And Fight Coronavirus
4 years, 9 months ago

Chuck Schumer Calls For At Least $750 Billion To Help Economy And Fight Coronavirus

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING WASHINGTON ― Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that Democrats are preparing a relief bill totaling at least $750 billion in response to the growing coronavirus outbreak that is battering the nation. Schumer said the bill would “ensure our medical professionals have all the resources – including physical space and equipment – they need to provide treatment …

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