Biden’s push for stimulus checks sparks income eligibility debate – By Naomi Jagoda (The Hill) / February 1 2021
President Biden’s push for more direct payments is sparking a debate over what the income thresholds should be for the stimulus checks.
© Greg Nash Biden’s push for stimulus checks sparks income eligibility debate
Many Republicans and some centrist Democrats say any additional payments need to be more targeted toward lower-income households, arguing they are most in need of relief and are more likely to spend the money quickly, providing a boost to the economy.
On Sunday, a group of 10 GOP senators made that argument in a letter to Biden announcing their own coronavirus relief proposal, one that includes payments “for those families who need assistance the most, including their dependent children and adults.”
Progressives, meanwhile, insist that broad eligibility would ensure the money gets out the door swiftly, while providing help to people whose income has dropped during the coronavirus-induced recession
