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There’s a distinct possibility that the federal government could authorize a second round of COVID relief checks for Americans. However, there are a number of disagreements between Republicans and Democrats over what a relief bill should include. In May, Democrats passed a sweeping bill called the HEROES Act in the House of Representatives.
However, the bill has been called a “non-starter” by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. McConnell famously resists legislation that involves lots of spending by American taxpayers.
Instead, he focuses on legislation that bails out large corporations, the organizations that least need the help. McConnell has signaled that he would support another round of relief checks, but wants them to only go to people that make less than $40,000 per year.
The $600 extra per week offered by the federal government for unemployment benefits is set to dry up in a few weeks. Democrats have indicated that they would like to see the program extended, citing still-high unemployment rates and soaring COVID case numbers. Meanwhile, Republicans have called the program a “disincentive” to returning to work for many people.
In fact, in many parts of the US, people on unemployment are receiving more money than they would if they were working. Democrats contend that this indicates that businesses should be paying their employees more, though Republicans have gnashed their teeth at the prospect of business owners raising their minimum wage.
The two parties are also in disagreement about sending children back to school in the Fall. Many Democrats are calling for schools to continue distance learning, since case numbers in the US are still surging. Republicans, on the other hand, want to see children returning to class, allowing their parents to stop worrying about finding daytime childcare.
The two parties agree, however, that we need another round of relief checks. Democrats would prefer to see the cap on the checks stay closer to people who make $75,000 per year, instead of $40,000. Republicans, meanwhile, have balked at the high federal spending of the proposed HEROES Act.
Pundits have noted that the virus has completely upended the American economy. Many white collar workers have simply been laying on the couch and ordering food delivery from GrubHub. Meanwhile, the working poor have been losing jobs and shouldering the bulk of the pandemic’s burden. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle want to see relief checks sent out. However, their disagreements could keep such relief from materializing.
