Congress plans to tighten eligibility for stimulus checks

Congress plans to tighten eligibility requirements to qualify for the next stimulus check as it drafts its $ 1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill.

President Biden is offering a stimulus check for $ 1,400 as part of his plan that is being used as a framework for legislation on Capitol Hill. Democrats have promised that if they win the second round of elections in Georgia and a majority in the Senate, they will quickly provide more aid.

But there is discussion about whether to make the third round of checks more focused amid bipartisan concerns that, without changes, high-income households that were not previously eligible could get some form of payment.

Leader of the parliamentary majority Steny HoyerSteny Hamilton Hoyer Minimum wage push sparks Democratic divisions The memo: Marjorie Taylor Greene won’t be left behind Here are the 11 Republicans who voted to remove Greene from House committees MORE (D-Md.) Said the thresholds for the next round of stimulus checks can be adjusted and are under discussion.

“I think that’s what most people have raised the issue about, both in the Senate and in the House. I honestly think that’s correct, ”Hoyer said. “I don’t want to speculate on the number or a figure, but I think it might well be considered for an adjustment from the one that was passed in December.”

Biden’s plan does not include details of the annual income cap to qualify for the full check, nor how the payment amount would gradually decrease for people who exceed that cap. But lawmakers are sending warning signals against complying with income caps and the phase-out structure used in the first two rounds of checks.

A sign of the direction the debate will take on Capitol Hill, the Senate voted 99-1 in an all-night marathon session to support tightening eligibility requirements to ensure that “high-income taxpayers are not eligible ”.

The amendment is not binding, but the broad support is likely to put pressure on lawmakers drafting the bill to make changes in order to gain sufficient support to pass the coronavirus relief program. Democrats are using reconciliation to pass the bill, a budget tool that will allow them to bypass the legislative obstruction of 60 votes in the Senate and the need for GOP support.

White House press secretary Jen psakiSenator Jen PsakiGOP urges Biden to confirm U.S. to keep embassy in Jerusalem Trump’s access to intelligence briefings will be determined by officials, White House said: White House report relaunches weekly talk to move Biden PLUS agenda forward said Biden was sticking firmly to the $ 1,400 amount for the next check, but was open to negotiating who is eligible and how the checks are reduced for people who go over the cap to receive a full check.

“It is the phase-out range that is… a variable under discussion in the current negotiations. There was no conclusion. But as the president said, he is open to this discussion ”. Jared bernsteinJared Bernstein The Memo: Bad Jobs Report Strengthens Biden Stimulus Case Over 200 Obama Officials Sign Letter Supporting Biden Stimulus Package Biden’s economic adviser calls Summers ‘completely wrong’ with remarks on inflation PLUS, a member of the Council of Economic Advisers, told reporters during a White House briefing.

But there is no agreement yet on changes to be made to the eligibility or structure of the checks.

His. Joe manchinJoseph (Joe) ManchinSanders criticizes Democrats for slashing stimulus check eligibility The Memo: Bad Jobs report bolsters Biden stimulus case Biden expects minimum wage hike to be removed from PLUS final relief bill (DW.Va.), who proposed the amendment to tighten eligibility, wants to change the structure of checks so that no one earning more than $ 75,000 a year or a couple earning more than $ 150,000 a year get a payment.

Manchin’s proposal would see people earning up to $ 50,000 and couples earning up to $ 100,000 to receive the $ 1,400 payout. After that, the amount would gradually decrease until it hit a cap of $ 75,000 for individuals and $ 150,000 for couples, his office confirmed.

A group of Republicans proposed to go further by reducing the amount of the check from $ 1,400 to $ 1,000, with a $ 500 for dependent adults and children. People earning up to $ 40,000 would receive a check for $ 1,000, with the amount of the check being phased out to $ 50,000.

While all senators except Sen. Rand PaulRandal (Rand) Howard PaulSunday shows insight: Budget Resolution Paves Way for 0.9 Trillion Stimulus; Senate gears up for impeachment trial Five takeaways from the budget marathon Republican hopefuls 2024 draw the front lines of the battle for the post-Trump era MORE (R-Ky.) Supported the non-binding amendment to the next round of relief checks, supporters acknowledged the language was intentionally vague.

“I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It depends who you want to talk to. But I think the point of the amendment is that it is negotiable so that we can try to convince people, ”the senator said. Jon testerJonathan (Jon) TesterRepublican 2024 hopes chart early battle lines for post-Trump era Minimum wage push sparks Democratic divisions Senate Democrats approve budget resolution and prepare coronavirus bill MORE (D-Mont.) Told reporters.

Senators discussed more broadly changing the phase-out structure.

A previous proposal that was passed by the House late last year called for a check for $ 1,400 amid bipartisan support to carry the $ 600 payment included in the year-end coronavirus package to 2000 dollars.

But even though it increased the amount of money, it retained the structure of how the payment was phased out. Had the bill finally been enacted instead of stagnating in the Senate, it would have allowed some high-income people who previously were not eligible to get some form of payment, but not a full check.

“I agree that Mnuchin’s formula for cash payments should be reviewed. The result of this Mnuchin formula was indefensible. … So yes, I would be open to that, ”Sen. Dick durbinDick Durbin Pressure on minimum wage sparks Democratic divisions Senate Democrats approve budget resolution, draft coronavirus bill Cotton attempts to push Democrats to expand Supreme Court MORE (D-Ill.) Told reporters, referring to the former Treasury secretary Steven MnuchinSteven Mnuchin Senate signals broad support for more targeted coronavirus relief checks Biparty group of senators calls for more targeted relief checks Former Trump officials find job market tough READ MORE.

But Democrats could also face resistance from lawmakers in both chambers if they attempt to adjust check eligibility.

Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee Bernie sandersBernie SandersSanders Criticizes Democrats for Cutting Eligibility for Stimulus Checks Sunday Shows Sneak Peek: Budget Resolution Paves Way for 0.9 Trillion Stimulus; Senate Prepares For Impeachment Trial The Memo: Bad Jobs Report Boosts Biden’s Relaunch Case READ MORE (I-Vt.) Hinted that he was willing to change the way checks disappeared, but that he would insist on meeting the same income limits to receive a full check: $ 75,000 for individuals and $ 150,000 $ for couples.

“We don’t want the people who make $ 300,000 or $ 400,000 to benefit from it,” he said.

Democrats campaigned for months to provide another round of direct controls if Americans gave them control of the House, Senate and White House for the first time in about a decade.

Biden, on a call with House Democrats, noted that one of the reasons he was sticking to the $ 1,400 figure was that he was not going to “start my administration by breaking a promise. made to the American people ”.

Asked about changes to the $ 1.9 trillion proposal, Senator Ron WydenRonald (Ron) Lee Wyden Five things to know about Biden’s move to Yemen House approves budget resolution for COVID-19 package Warren joins finance committee to oversee taxes and health care MORE (D-Ore.) Highlighted the recent runoff that gave Democrats a 50-50 majority.

“We had a sort of referendum on our priorities. For example, that was the purpose of the Georgia Senate race – to make sure those $ 2,000 checks got out, ”Wyden said.

Georgia’s two new senators, Democrats Jon OssoffJon OssoffSusan Sarandon slams Democrats for ‘bait and turn’, 000 relief checks Senate signals broad support for more targeted coronavirus relief checks Bipartisan group of senators calls for more targeted relief checks READ MORE and Raphael warnockRaphael WarnockSusan Sarandon criticizes Democrats for ‘baiting and igniting’ 000 relief checks Schiff presses Newsom to be named California AG: reports Warren to join finance committee overseeing taxes and healthcare MORE, both campaigned on check delivery.

Ossoff, asking how to change income eligibility, urged his party to go big.

“I am advocating that we act big,” he said, “and that we bring as much direct relief to people as possible.”