This weekend, the White House and the U.S. Congress made it clear that they are both agreed upon the $1,200 stimulus check for the upcoming coronavirus economic relief bill, but that other factors are holding negotiations up. Many Americans were surprised to find that the HEALS Act included a stimulus check similar to the first one issued in April. With that money on the line, many hope lawmakers will compromise on everything else and get it passed quickly.
The number of new coronavirus cases and related deaths are still on the rise in the U.S., and the economic recession continues. The United States Senate has finally produced a new stimulus package called the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools Act โ or, HEALS Act โ but lawmakers do not have long to debate over its contents. The bill includes another stimulus check worth $1,200 for qualifying Americans who made $75,000 or less on their last tax filing, with the amount dropping up to a gross annual income of $98,000. Many Americans are desperate for this money.
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The stimulus check is not the only provision in the HEALS Act, however, and the others are holding up negotiations between the two political parties. Most importantly, the fight for the $600 per week unemployment enhancement is where Democrats intend to make their stand. As it is written now, the HEALS Act would cut these payments down to $200 per week until October, and would task states with calculating an income-based unemployment enhancement after that.
About 50 million Americans are unemployed โ around 20 percent of American workers โ and the unemployment enhancement helped many of them stay afloat. Without that aid, a one-time stimulus check will do little to ensure that those families have roofs over their heads and food on their plates.
Still, it can be frustrating for Americans to hear that the lawmakers are agreed on the stimulus check, yet the bill cannot be passed yet. Here is a look at how social media is responding to reports of this stalemate.
Separate
Send the checks already man, worry about unemployment benefits later.
โ John (@J0hn174) August 2, 2020
Audacity
The very rich Steve Mnuchin dares to get on the Sunday shows to complain $600 in unemploymentโin the middle of a deadly pandemic that has taken over 154k American lives & tens of millions of jobsโis a โdisincentiveโ to work.
โ Steven Beschloss (@StevenBeschloss) August 2, 2020
Steve Mnuchin wants to slash $600 a week in unemployment benefits for 30 million workers who lost jobs, but supports the continuation of a $500 billion slush fund for corporations.
โ Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) August 2, 2020
The Trump Administration loves socialism for the rich, unfettered capitalism for everyone else. https://t.co/hkH1pZVmX9
Back to Work
Then get back to work !
โ Angela (@Angela81702575) August 1, 2020
Itโs not that hard, folks…
โ not important enough to reclaim my time (@MarkMazman) August 1, 2020
Basic
Rent is due and people need money to buy food for their famiies. They are not asking for luxuries. Just the basic need. Help them.
โ ๐ปPeggy B๐ป (@PegLulu2) August 2, 2020
Life Changing
If you think a $1200 stimulus check will change your life, imagine what getting job would do ๐คทโโ๏ธ
โ BuckeyeMamma (@hangonsloopy93) August 2, 2020
Predictions
Dems at $600, GOP at $200. Let me guess…
โ Milsma (@milsma) August 2, 2020
The compromise will be $400?
Outrage
people’s unemployment has ended and yall still mad at people asking for help financially โ mind you, unemployment wasn’t even fucking enough for some people, and im sure most people, especially dependents like myself didn’t receive a damn stimulus, so mind your fucking business
โ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ (@brokebackboys) August 1, 2020
