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Washington – Dozens of House Democrats sent a letter to President Biden asking the White House to push for recurring cash payments to Americans in future coronavirus relief proposals, pressuring the administration to goes further in its plans to mitigate the economic fallout from the pandemic.
“We call on your new administration to consider including support for recurring cash payments in your future economic relief plans. Recurring payments would provide a long-term lifeline to struggling Americans throughout this period. deadly pandemic, “56 House Democrats, led by Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, wrote in the letter.
Mr Biden’s current relief proposal includes a direct payment of $ 1400 Americans earning below a certain threshold. The Democrats’ letter did not specify a monetary amount for possible recurring payments, but noted that the United States is currently in the midst of “the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.”
“Worsening systemic inequalities, such as food insecurity and unstable housing, are more serious for black, brown and indigenous communities, which suffer from higher rates of infection and death from COVID-19 and higher unemployment rates, compared to white Americans, ”the letter told me. “Recurring direct payments until the economy recovers will help ensure that people can meet their basic needs, provide racially just solutions and shorten the duration of the recession.”
Members insist recurring payments should continue until the economy recovers and be prioritized for “those who need it most and will spend it fastest.” They also call for payments to be made to immigrants and refugees, and also include older dependents such as the elderly and disabled and dependents over 16.
“As the country begins to seek to build a better future, we must provide those who are struggling and left behind with reliable and consistent cash payments during this COVID-19 crisis. We hope you will consider recurring cash assistance as you develop your economic policy priorities moving forward, ”the letter says. Politico first signaled the progressives’ push for recurring payments.
Even if Mr. Biden were to voice his support for including recurring payments in future relief proposals, it is unclear whether Congressional Republicans or even Democratic leaders would be willing to accept. Mr Biden’s current proposal is $ 1.9 trillion and he faces opposition from many Republicans in the Senate who have hesitated at the price. Democrats plan to pass the proposal using budget reconciliation, a procedure that would allow legislation to pass in Congress by a simple majority of votes, without any Republican support.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday that the House would bring forward a budget resolution next week, the first step in a budget reconciliation process.
“I hope we don’t need it, but if necessary we will,” she said.
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