The proposed $1,400 stimulus checks could be voted next week as Joe Biden pushes $1.9trillion relief plan.
The House Budget Committee is expected to assemble a final bill approved in committee next week.
In addition to another round of checks for eligible Americans, the package also includes a provision to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour.
The full House may pass the legislation next week but it could face troubles in the Senate where Dems can’t afford to lose a member of their party.
A few Democrats have already said that they do not believe the provision belongs in a Covid relief package and at least two Democratic Senators – Joe Manchin and Krysten Sinema – have said they will not back the wage increase according to Bloomberg.
Without complete Democratic support, is likely the bill will not pass the Senate which is split 50-50 down the party line.
Democrats are hoping to pass the coronavirus relief package in the coming weeks before federal unemployment benefits expire on March 14.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that she will send the bill to the Senate as soon as it passes the House, and that she is hopeful that a package will arrived on Biden's desk for approval by the end of February.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is reportedly looking for ways to speed up the approval process once the bill reaches the Senate.
Biden has been taking heat lately for a delay in the $1,400 stimulus checks out to Americans after promising to send out $2,000 payments "immediately."
While he was campaigning for Georgia Sens. he had promised that electing Democratic candidates would help get the stimulus checks "immediately."
Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock were elected to the Senate but a package with stimulus payments has not been approved yet.
Source: Read Full Article
