Sen. Manchin thinks $500-$1,200 stimulus aids may be part of the coronavirus package

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• The next round of COVID-19 economic checks between the amounts of $500 to $1,200  may be coming for Americans this week.
• The bipartisan deal is supported by both Republicans and Democrats and President Donald Trump, to help those most affected by the pandemic.
• The two opposing parties are also expecting that the bill will be passed with bipartisan backing.

On Wednesday, West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin said that stimulus aids amounting between $500 and $1,200 could be incorporated in the last coronavirus aid package anticipated these coming days.

President Donald Trump backs the proposal and Republican top officials in both the Lower Chamber and Senate and Democrats in both houses. In principle, Democratic top leaders had earlier expressed support on the idea.

Sen. Manchin is one of the frontrunners of a $908 billion bipartisan deal that doesn’t endorse direct checks payments but mentioned that these might be included on the final bill.

Manchin told CNN that it was his understanding that there may be some check payments in line with local and state staid.

The moderate Democrat discussed following the talks of four party leaders in the Congress and the Senate last Tuesday, few days before the deadline on Friday midnight, to submit the bill that prevents a partial pre-Christmas government closure.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., also said later that they were confident that an agreement would be reached.

Republicans and Democrats have been at a deadlock for several months over COVID-19 relief. While GOPs prefer liability safeguards for businesses, Democrats sought extensive aid for local and state governments. The Republicans see the other party’s proposal as possible redemption for unconnected budget issues.

Manchin’s bipartisan proposal recommended setting less debatable items in a single vote, then including liability development and local and state aid under a more controversial package.

Meanwhile, the White House has also introduced removing a recommended $300 weekly joblessness additional insurance from legislation in place for the direct checks.

Manchin also told CNN that while the checks will not be over $1,200, he believes that it will be within the range of $600 to help Americans amidst the health crisis, adding that this time, there might be a chance to pass the bill.

Just like in March, the direct checks will probably be means-based, where persons whose wages are higher will be receiving less, and people making over $95,000 will not be getting anything.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., warned last week that they’d keep Congress open even in Christmas to push their associates to pass the next round of direct payments.

Meanwhile, followers of the Congressional Progressive Caucus in the chamber are considering voting no for any bill that does not include checks.

Leaders of the Democrat leaders authorized the $908 billion bipartisan offers following a long time pushing of a $2.4 trillion and $3.4 trillion bill that includes a $1 trillion for local and state governments.

Source: New York Post