Squad Introduces Their Own Bill For $2,000 Stimulus Checks Supported By Trump
Although President Donald Trump and the ultra-progressive 'Squad' have little in common, they agree on giving Americans $2,000 stimulus checks. In line with that, Squad members on Thursday introduced their bill in the House to send $2,000 stimulus checks to Americans.
The move comes after the president this week demanded the $600 checks as part of the Congress' stimulus deal be increased to the aforesaid number. Democratic lawmakers, including House Reps Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, collaborated with fellow progressive House Rep Pramila Jayapal to introduce the bill that would increase the relief checks by three-time as compared to what was approved in Congress’ recent stimulus bill.
Trump recently supported a bill from Congress aimed at boosting the stimulus checks in the recent bill approved by both chambers, increasing it from $600 to $2,000, DailyMail reported. On Friday, Trump became more tenacious with his demand to Congress to boost payments from $600 to $2,000 in the COVID-19 stimulus bill that was already sent to the president's desk by the lawmakers, per Fox News.
In a statement, Tlaib pointed out that families are forced to make difficult decisions this holiday season, such as whether they should buy groceries or keep their lights on. She went on to say that the $2,000 survival checks would give those struggling amid the pandemic a lifeline.
In her statement, Tlaib urged Trump to stop putting on an act and get party members in line so that the government can give away this long-overdue relief to Americans across the country at the time of need. Pressley noted that they have been fighting for significant survival checks all along so that people can meet their basic needs.
Pressley said the broad support they have received represents the power of the people, as well as the urgency of this moment. $2,000 in direct cash, Pressley explained, will help families deal with the crisis while they continue to fight for additional relief that matches the scale of the loss many Americans are feeling.
The bill introduced by the Squad members is different from a separate bill that was introduced by Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass, although it would essentially do the same thing. Neal's bill simply changes the numbers in the coronavirus stimulus bill to $2,000 from $600.
It is worth noting that the Squad bill is independent of the rest of the stimulus and amends the Internal Revenue Code's wording as it currently stands after the stimulus Congress passed earlier this year. In other words, that bill can be enacted on its own.