Stimulus checks
Petitions for a fourth stimulus check of $2,000 a month have reached nearly 3 million signatures.
Here’s what you need to know.
Stimulus Checks
In the ongoing campaign to get $2,000 a month stimulus checks, multiple Change.org petitions have collectively amassed nearly three million signatures. As reported by Newsweek, the petitions vary in scope, but they have a recurring theme: get a 4th stimulus check to the American people. According to Newsweek, one of the largest petitions is organized by Stephanie Bonin, a Denver restaurant owner. Bonin wants $2,000 a month stimulus checks for adults and $1,000 a month stimulus checks for each child immediately. Then, she wants these recurring stimulus checks to be sent each month until the end of the Covid-19 pandemic. There are at least five other similar petitions that want the U.S. Senate and House to act on a new stimulus package.
“Like our team, my family has lost all of the income from our restaurant, and business owners and the self-employed can’t claim unemployment. This is the story of America right now. For our team and other Americans who can claim unemployment, even the maximum payments will not be enough for most people to continue paying their bills — and avoid slipping into poverty,” Bonin wrote on the Change.org petition.
$2,000 a month stimulus checks
There has been talk of a fourth stimulus check, but among most members of Congress and the president, the talks have been limited. Why? That said, more than 75 members of Congress want to give you $2,000 stimulus checks every month until the Covid-19 pandemic is over. Why the need for a recurring stimulus check? These members of Congress say the previous stimulus check as well any fourth stimulus check is not sufficient to help Americans who are struggling financially due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In January, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and 55 Democrats sent a letter to President Joe Biden to support recurring stimulus checks. However, neither Biden or Congress are willing to support a fourth stimulus check, let alone a recurring stimulus check. Why is a fourth stimulus check unlikely? There are many reasons why. For example, Biden is focused on passing his new infrastructure package, and that stimulus package doesn’t include any one-time or recurring stimulus checks.
Fourth stimulus checks unlikely
Like student loan cancellation, it’s tough for Biden and Congress to support another round of stimulus checks while also stating that the economy is improving. This is one reason why Biden could extend student loan relief beyond September 30, but there is still one major dilemma that needs to be addressed. This doesn’t mean millions of Americans aren’t struggling financially from the Covid-19 pandemic; they are. However, strong job numbers, low unemployment, and high vacination rates all point to a rebounding economy. The first three stimulus checks were made available to certain Americans who were struggling financially. However, they were limited in scope based on income and other requirements. In contrast, the leading petition calls for $2,000 a month stimulus checks for all Americans, with no apparent income limits. Congress or the president is unlikely to support another stimulus check, whether one-time or monthly. Further, Congress and the president likely wouldn’t support giving a stimulus check to every American, without at least some income limitations. That said, while most petitions typically don’t sway Congress, a collective campaign with enough signatures could pressure at least some members of Congress. With millions of Americans (and growing) calling for more financial relief, will Congress listen?
