Stimulus: When will Americans see help from Biden’s relief proposal? It’s in Congress

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There is still a long way to go before Biden’s plan – which is full of measures long favored by Democrats – becomes law. And while Democrats will soon control the White House and both houses of Congress, that doesn’t mean lawmakers will follow Biden’s suggestions to the letter.

The sooner the money could start to flow? Maybe from mid-February to the end of February, said Kevin Kosar, resident researcher at the right-wing American Enterprise Institute and co-editor of the book “Congress Overwhelmed.”

But he also calls for larger structural changes, such as imposing a minimum hourly wage of $ 15, expanding Obamacare bonus subsidies, and expanding tax credits for Americans to low income for a year.
It is the first of two measures Biden has planned to turn around the country’s economy and fight the coronavirus. He intends to announce a stimulus strategy when he first appears before a joint session of Congress next month.

President can propose ideas, but Congress passes laws

Biden’s bailout proposal is now passing through Congress, where it could change dramatically as Democratic leaders turn it into a bill. They must decide if they want to use a special legislative process called reconciliation, which would only require a simple majority of votes to pass the Senate – eliminating the need for Republican support – but would limit what provisions could be included. In addition, reconciliation should only be used sparingly each year.

Another factor that could determine the route and speed at which lawmakers act is the health of the economy, said John Hudak, a senior researcher at the Brookings Institution. If the country’s employment report in early February shows continued deterioration in the labor market, for example, Congress could be pressured to act faster and approve more aid.

Regardless of the leaders’ decision, the effort should pass more easily through the House – which last May approved a $ 3 trillion relief package containing measures similar to those in Biden’s plan – even though Democrats there now hold a slimmer majority.

California Democrat President Nancy Pelosi will need to maintain the support of nearly everyone in her party, including some progressive lawmakers who have already said they want to send even more aid to Americans in need.

Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York told the Washington Post on Thursday that people should receive an additional $ 2,000 in stimulus checks on top of the $ 600 they received as part of the $ 900 billion relief plan passed by lawmakers last month – more than the $ 1,400 Top-Up Payment Biden suggests.

A narrow margin in the Senate will mean compromises

The Senate is where a multitude of obstacles are found. Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer of New York will soon take over as Majority Leader from Republican Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, but the house will be split 50-50, with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris available to break any tie votes .

In the coming weeks, senators will have their hands full with President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial and the vote on the presidential-elect’s cabinet candidates, none of which have yet been confirmed.

In his Thursday night speech, Biden said he wanted to work with members of both sides to implement his US bailout, saying he wanted to go the traditional route, which would require the support of at least 10 Republican senators.

Biden will play an important role in the negotiations on Capitol Hill.

“A new president and a new tone in the White House can exert quite a bit of pressure when the pressure is needed,” Hudak said. “For this to happen in an accelerated timeframe, it will really require significant influence from the president, especially over key senators.”

One of those senators is Joe Manchin, a moderate Democrat from West Virginia. He recently expressed doubts over granting $ 2,000 in stimulus payments, preferring a more targeted approach.

“I’m okay with helping people who need help, people who really can’t make it, people who don’t have a job,” Manchin told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Sunday. “Sending checks to people who, in fact, already have a check and won’t be able to spend it or will not spend it – usually put it in their savings account now – that’s not who we are.” . “

Getting support can be a painstaking process.

“All the work to get people lined up – it will probably take a long time,” Kosar said.

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