Sanders says lowering income threshold for stimulus checks is ‘absurd’

Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., On Sunday denounced an effort to lower the income threshold for stimulus check eligibility in Covid’s latest relief program, calling it “absurd” and insane.

“Well, I think what we’ve done in the past and what we’ve promised the American people, we’ve said two things in the last month,” said Sanders, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, to CNN’s “State of the Union”. “We said we were going to make you $ 2,000. And it’s $ 600 plus $ 1,400. And what we’re going to do is say everyone, one person, $ 75,000 or less, and some $ 150,000 or less, will qualify for that total amount of $ 2,000, $ 600 plus $ 1,400. “

“Now when people said, ‘We don’t want the rich to get this advantage,’ I understand that. I agree,” Sanders continued. He added, “But to tell a worker in Vermont or California or wherever that if you make $ 52,000 a year you’re too rich to get that help, the full benefit, I think that’s nonsense.

Senate Democrats are divided over who should be eligible for a new round of checks as they seek to pass a new stimulus package. The last round of checks has been cut for people earning over $ 99,000 or couples earning over $ 198,000. In his initial proposal, Biden recommended this same threshold.

Last week, Senator Joe Manchin, DW.Va., proposed a non-binding amendment supported by other Democrats seeking to “ensure that high income taxpayers are not eligible” for checks. Manchin wants the phase-out of stimulus checks to start at $ 50,000 per person or $ 100,000 per couple, rather than $ 75,000 and $ 150,000.

Biden also opened the door to adjusting income levels during a call Wednesday with Democrats.

Speaking to CNN’s “State of the Union,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Biden thinks it is appropriate that those who earn more than $ 50,000 get the full benefit, although she didn’t say if that sentiment extended to $ 75,000.

“Well, President Biden is certainly willing to work with members of Congress to define what’s right,” she said. “And he wouldn’t want to see a household earning more than $ 300,000 receiving those payments. But if you think of an elementary school teacher or a policeman making $ 60,000 a year, facing out-of-school children and people who have to withdraw from the labor market to take care of them and a lot of additional burdens, I would say – he thinks, and I certainly agree – that it is appropriate that people there- stockings get support.

In an interview with ABC’s “This Week,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg insisted on immediate action when asked if it was worth lowering the threshold if that means passing the bill sooner.

“Look, there’s an active conversation going on right now obviously, but the bottom line is that we need to support as many Americans as possible as firmly as possible and as quickly as possible,” he said. “Hurry up.”