Breaking News
Congress OKs $900B Aid, Includes $600 Stimulus Check
Working over the weekend, US lawmakers finally agreed to pass a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package, including a $600 stimulus check. This represents a breakthrough in negotiations between Republicans and Democrats, as the nation continues to struggle with the ongoing pandemic. Congress will vote on the bill on Monday.
RELATED: GOP Senator Blocks Second Round of Stimulus Checks
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Sunday afternoon that Congress managed to settle all outstanding issues regarding the bill. He said “At long last, we have the bipartisan breakthrough the country has needed. Now we need to promptly finalize the text, avoid any last-minute obstacles, and cooperate to move this legislation through both chambers.”
$1.4 Trillion Budget Bill
The $900 billion aid package is part of the $1.4 trillion annual spending budget bill Congress is working on. If Congress can't agree to this budget, it will trigger a government shutdown beginning December 21. While working on the spending bill, Congress passed a series of temporary budget bills that helped keep the government operating. Last Sunday, Congress approved a one-day spending measure that will keep government offices running until midnight Monday. This gives them time to approve the new budget bill, along with the relief package, until Monday night.
“More help is on the way. Moments ago, in consultation with our committees, the four leaders of the Senate and House finalized an agreement. It would be another major rescue package for the American people,” McConnell said. “As our citizens continue battling this coronavirus pandemic this holiday season, they will not be fighting alone.” Meanwhile, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), said that “This agreement is far from perfect, but it will deliver emergency relief to a nation in the throes of a genuine emergency.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) said on the Senate floor. In addition, while there’s broad agreement among the measures in the bill, nothing is final until the bill gets signed, hopefully, Monday.
$600 direct payments
The new bill contains funding for struggling businesses, with small businesses taking priority. And, it will include a much-awaited stimulus check for Americans. The proposed amount of $600 is half of the last stimulus check issued earlier this year. For Americans earning more than $75,000 in 2019, the amount will go lower. Anybody earning beyond $99,000 will not receive the stimulus check. However, initial reports say households can receive multiple checks depending on the number of qualified individuals. Each child can receive $600 as well.
Other Benefits
Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Ca) said that the aid package also includes $284 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program small business loans. Another $20 billion is given to small business grants, while $15 billion budgeted for live event venues. Also, the package kicks in a weekly $300 in additional unemployment benefits until mid-March 2021.
In addition, the relief aid contains a $30 billion budget for vaccine distribution funds and $82 billion assistance for colleges and schools. It also earmarks $13 billion into enhanced Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Moreso, a $25 billion kitty for rental assistance and an extension of the eviction moratorium. Notably absent from the budget is the much-debated issue of coronavirus liability insurance for companies that operate during the pandemic. Reportedly, it does include a tax break for corporate meal expenses lobbied for by the White House. President Donald Trump lobbied for inclusion for this measure, referred to as the “three-martini lunch” by critics. It serves as a way to revive the restaurant industry badly battered by the pandemic.
Initial Reactions
While many expressed a sigh of relief that the two parties came to terms, some find the stimulus check amount to be too small. Even a return of the one-time payment of $1,200 might not cut it. In an interview with CBS MoneyWatch, restaurant owner Stephani Bonin remarked that “Our [COVID-19] numbers are bigger than ever and the scale of this pandemic is almost limitless, but the aid is not. ” Bonin started a Change.org petition calling for Congress to provide stimulus relief of $2,000 a month. The petition already received nearly 2 million signatures.
Meanwhile, millions of U.S. families face rent evictions and bill payments. Half of Americans affected by the pandemic say they worry about having enough to pay for rent or their mortgage. According to a TransUnion survey, 40% of impacted consumers really need a future stimulus check. This new $900 billion relief aid is a start and can hold off crushing debt for the moment. Hopefully, more help will arrive along the way.
What the Good Morning America breaking new reports of Congress finally agreeing to pass a COVID stimulus package:
Loading ...Right now, everybody seems just grateful that Congress managed to work together long enough to finalize this bill. Do you support the $600 stimulus check that is part of the $900 billion relief package? Let us know what you think by leaving your comments below.
43 Comments
Only for tax paying citizens; after all, it is tax money.
Another big government boondoggle, hope President Trump vetoes this Bill, quit the lockdowns and let the economy work it out! Jut adding more debt that our kid will have to pay. So what if the Government shuts down, would be a Godsend! That $600.00 is not going to help.
I think everyone should get off their dead butt and get a job. If I made that much money on unemployment I’d stay home too. Shut USA down completely for 3 weeks and there wouldn’t be a virus. So damn burn out on stupid lazy people
How much is the Government going to get out of this money? They sure don’t care about the taxpayers. I mean 600.00 what a joke. Sure they can afford that? Should be moire like 2000.00 per person to help people get out of the situation they are in. I am a front line worker and this is what they want to do for us? Other countries are giving weekly stimulus checks to help people really get through this situation.
NOT ENOUGH MONEY. DROP IN THE BUCKET. GO BACK TO ORIGINAL 1200.00. AND ONLY TAX PAYING CITIZENS SHOULD RECEIVE A STIMULUS CHECK. THAT MONEY BELONGS TO TAXPAYERS, AMERICAN CITIZENS.
I take it the severely reduced amount was the handiwork of McConnell and some of the other globalist Republicans who care not about us plebeian types.
Excepting the President of course, I have voted for my last Republican. Goes without saying I’d never vote for dems.
Oh wait I almost forgot, unless Trump reclaims the stolen presidency voting will never ever matter again because dems will have preprogrammed our votes for us like they did this time.
I’ve been on the front lines, from the beginning of COVID-19. I feel we deserve much more than $600. I watch my drunken neighbor lay around for months getting his then $800 weekly unemployment, not looking for work, while I busted my ass, with cancer, supporting a disabled child at age 55 . Something is wrong with this picture. There should be a cut off date, for those who are unemployed. I could use a drink myself!!
As long as tax paying Americans get the checks and not illegals. Remember when the U.S. is going into more debt, there is only one way that the government gets their money and it is from US. They have no magic pot to pull excess money from.
Its interesting that congress will pass THREE bills to “keep the government going” (their paycheck) while debating what to do with taxpayer money for all the rest of us not as privileged to have their job. Why can they not follow the example of the president if only for ONE month to forgo their own paycheck and put it back in the hands of the people they serve. As for local business help- I believe the states need to look at their budgets to better serve their constituents. Governors could give their paycheck. Mayors could give their paychecks. When will they truely demonstrate that they ‘feel our pain’ ???
I believe we don’t deserve anything WE DON’T WORK TO ACHIEVE!
I am white, male, and now an old person. I have experienced discrimination because of all three during my life, but God meant these times for my good, so I don’t have any reason to complain!
As a result of God’s grace, I have been blessed in many ways that enriched my life because of people I meet and hardships I had to work through. We are not rich in earthly terms but have learned to always be thankful. As I want to relate, hardship is not a bad thing if we seize and learn from it, only then is it truly ours to appreciate.
If we are given a car, it is usually not appreciated thus not cared for. If we purchase a car, we work to take care of it because we then know the cost.
Work is not always easy or fun, but what is worked for; is earned thus only then truly deserved.
The money should go to the businesses that have collapsed. There are plenty of job opportunities out there right now with food chains, Amazon,, FedEx , USPO…. etc. you do what you have to do to support your family even if it’s not your line of work. People on disability and Social Security have not been interrupted so my outlook is not everyone is in need.
what a shame
Are adult dependents being covered in the stimulus payments to Americans ?
I don’t feel that the $600 is enough as there is so many people that has been seriously suffering since the last check and getting worse. Help the people that need it now. Why should they wait and wait for them damn idiots to make a judgement on how much is at stake. We have people dying everyday. Let’s help the ones that are alive!!!!!!!!!
Too little WAY TOO LATE!!!!!!
ALL THE POLITICIANS SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, I’M ASHAMED I EVER VOTED FOR ANY OF THEM!!!!!!!
The governments of other countries around the world are giving their citizens a grand or more a MONTH so they can stay home, not spread the disease, etc. Our government struggles & argues like a bunch of children who don’t want to give away any of their shinies – and this is what we get – less than most people make at a full time job in ONE check – they say “Here! This will do….something.” This is a pathetic sop that won’t do much for anyone. I lost faith in our government quite awhile ago & the last 4 years have just put the nail a bit deeper in the coffin.
They should have NEVER been able to vote for their own pay raises, they should have to pay 80% of their pay towards the stimulus for 1 year min, plus plus the $600.00 (Joke) they votes for, lets see how long they last, and even then it may not be enough to get alot of people back on their feet
congress spends more than $600 dollars on 1 meal when they go out to eat. this is a drop in the bucket for them. people need more than this to survive. all voters remember this the next time you go out to vote.
It’s to little for the American people. We should throw them all out of Congress and they shouldn’t get paid a dime. They do not do their job and they shouldn’t be paid. The bums need to only be paid when they actually work, like all of us. Time for changes in the Government!
This site is one sided. The Democrats have worked tirelessly to try and keep this stimulus package
LOW. President Trump wanted a much more substantial package for true Americans, and not illegal
aliens. This package is a slap in the face of all Americans. The Congressmen and Senators are all still pulling in large paychecks while most of the people they are supposed to represent are struggling to feed their families and keep a roof over their heads. SHAME ON THE AMERICAAN GOVERNMENT !!!
In my city you see jobs posted everywhere on their signs. These people here are lazy, and draw unemployment, now the $300 on top of that? This is BS. Old people on SS can’t even buy meds or groceries, they have to pick which is more important, I say both for them. The ones in congress are old enough to kick the bucket, but they don’t have to worry about these things
this must be a joke this 600 don’t even feed a family a month and pay’s any of the bills, and please stop worrying about the money the Government spends, it wont ever be paid back,the dollar is worthless, more every day, the system is broken, working only gets you by if you lucky, the media is totally corrupted and one sided the two party system is not working any more, the election was definitely rigged by millions of votes, inflation is not even being mentioned any more …
What a Joke!!! Only tax paying Americans should get the money but not 600 it should be 2000. It’s tax money anyway which belongs to us working Americans!!!!
Do the math 900 billion divided by population of America (325 Million) = $2770 for EVERY MAN WOMEN AND CHILD in America, we get 600.00 per family where is the rest going PORK that’s where.
It is hard to find workers because the “stimulus” check, unemployment check is larger than honest work check.
What a shame. The people voted in to represent the tax payer have yet again forgot the people Shameful
What a joke! How much is going to Nancy Pelosi’s pet organizations? Millions. We get crumbs while they eat cakes. And you can be assured she and the rest of the swamp rats have all ten fingers in the pie. Bon appetite!
I do believe that the $600 stimulus check will help. But that is only a meager start. American tax payers deserve more than $600. Also ppl who are of the age to draw their Social Security and are drawing it well deserve more than $600. I do not believe that anyone receiving unemployment should be given nor or they entitled to an extra $300 per unemployment check. If unemployed individuals get an extra $300 added to their unemployment check that will then give them an extra $1200 a month. Now that is BS. Also illegal immigrants should not be allowed any stimulus money. No one should receive NOR OR THEY ENTITLED to any type of stimulus money from the United States government. If they have NOT paid taxes DO NOT give them a stimulus check.
The Seniors Citizens who are the age 78 should get a check. We are in need of food and need of help with utilities and etc. We can live on Social Security especially now that the covid has hit. We need money to survive. PLEASE HELP ME AND OTHER SENIORS.
We can not live on what we get. P;EASE HELP
I believe that only Tax payers should receive the bonus. With he amount some of these companies are receiving, the families should receive a check for $ 2000.00 dollars yo make a difference.
That 600.00 is nothing but chump change. We the American people deserve more then that. You still got your pay checks, don’t you congress.
I personally don’t agree on a stimulus check because I’ll have to pay it back & then some. Why don’t they work on a good tax break for the working man instead.Like someone said in another reply,this stimulus check is one my kids will have to payback.Put everyone back to work,that’s what’s wrong know,not enough people working
Too little to late! Kiss my bottom you Jack offs. We need a revolution not a convention of states!
I am a tax payer and husband and the $600.00 is about two months house payment but being behind for months, still not enough to help out or catch up, so guess we will stay behind and goes without saying , not much for food or behind in bills as it is and surely no x-mas at all when you are behind with everything, you all up there in office don’t worry about us, cause we die you don’t give a crap or you could give us more money to put food on the tables and pay bills, this is just digging a bigger hole for us to be behind instead of head.
If there is going to have to be more help later on, why not give enough now. As hard as it was for the 2 parties to agree on this makes me think they will never come to agreement again. Its now or never for this crisis!!
Finally Pelosi and the Dem’s get off there butts. A day late and a dollar short. She held the country in limbo for their gain.
$600 doesn’t even pay the rent of a lower income person. But you can bet your fanny there was enough fat in the bill to make the greedy R&D’s get what they wanted. SHAME ON YOU Congress.
That is a drop in a bucket for the Tax Paying Citizens. The Republicans and Democrats are millionaires and get paid every month while the Citizens of the United States can’t even go yo work. the R&Ds get paid to fight with each other and accomplish nothing and get paid with are Tax Dollar. It SUCKS….
I am not in favor of any stimulus check. Our government is already broke and borrowing money to give it away isn’t the answer. Open the country up. Get rid of the crooks in Congress and fix the rigged election.
Just remember they “allowed” you a small payment of YOUR own money BUT ONLY AFTER they HAD to do SOMETHING anything so they don’t look completely horrible while voting so they could keep their own overly paid disgusting paychecks!
I think it is ridiculous. Really $600 out of $900 billion. The math doesn’t add up. Where is the rest of that $900 billion going? In politicians pockets or the pay off their friends in China. I say President Trump should veto this ridiculous bill which will do virtually nothing to help the American people or the United States economy. If Congress wants to help the American tax payers, let them go without a pay raise.
Why are we giving other countries so much of our money when we need it in the USA, Why are we giving money to the arts Is it because Nancy’s daughter runs it and to the Kenndy foundation. We have to make the USA great again like Trump has done for the last 4 years