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On Presidential Day, progressive politicians and reporters on social media pushed Congress and President Joe Biden for the $ 1,400 stimulus checks that Democrats promised to give to Americans.
Before taking office, Biden said he wanted to act “boldly and urgently” to get the checks through Congress. “We don’t have a second to waste in giving the American people the help they desperately need,” he said. But weeks have passed since Biden’s inauguration and the establishment of a new Congress, and the president’s stimulus package has yet to be passed.
On Twitter, former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner wrote “44 days” alongside a February 13 tweet that noted that “it has been 42 days since we installed a new Congress. It is time for Americans to get their checks for $ 2,000 ”. Turner is currently running for US House in Ohio’s 11th District.
Vermont Independent Senator Bernie Sanders wrote: “The Covid Relief Bill, once passed, will do American workers a lot of good, but one thing that just can’t be overstated is that it will cut child poverty in half – the greatest reduction in modern poverty. That is why we must act and act quickly. “
The Covid Relief Bill, once passed, will do American workers a lot of good, but one thing that simply cannot be stressed enough is that it will cut child poverty in half – the biggest reduction in modern history. That is why we must act and act quickly.
– Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) February 15, 2021
Progressive reporter Walker Bragman wrote: “Joe Biden has been in office for almost a month with a Democratic House and Senate. Still no relief checks of $ 2,000 …”
Joe Biden has been in office for nearly a month with a Democratic House and Senate. Still no relief checks for $ 2,000 …
– Walker Bragman (@WalkerBragman) February 15, 2021
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Sunday that Biden would discuss the $ 1,400 stimulus checks with U.S. voters this week as he hits the road on his first official trip as president.
“The president is eager to get out into the country, engage with people about his plans to get relief, direct checks in their hands and speed up vaccine distribution and reopen schools,” Psaki told The the Wall Street newspaper.
“It has been his goal for some time,” she added, “but he will redouble his efforts in the days and weeks to come.”
Jeff Fusco / Getty
The issue has become, predictably, controversial among congressional lawmakers. Some Republicans believe direct payments are too expensive and others have called for the recipient criteria to be tightened so that only low-income earners can benefit.
On February 6, House Minority Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Congress would pass the checks for $ 1,400 “before the end of February.” But checks may have to be passed through the Senate without Republican backing.
Senate Democrats could pass stimulus checks using a procedure called budget reconciliation, which would bypass the need for Republican support. However, the procedure would require all Senate Democrats to approve the measure, and West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin has said he feels uncomfortable passing legislation without Republican backing.
In a December 10 speech, Sanders pointed out that tens of millions of Americans had lost their jobs and health insurance during the pandemic. Some have depleted their savings, avoided medical treatment, go hungry, or will owe thousands of rents in arrears once the national moratorium on evictions ends, he said, adding that black communities and Latin Americans had been particularly affected.
Newsweek contacted Sanders’ office for comment.
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