Extra unemployment funds, one of the issues that divides Republicans and Democrats most in the face of the possible adoption of a new stimulus package, are part of the new legislation that will be presented by the Democratic delegation in the House of Representatives, according to several media outlets since last week.
Preliminary reports at the time indicate that this would be an incentive of an extra $600 per week until January, as provided for by the HEROES act, already passed by Democrats in the legislative body, but discarded in the Senate.
The new Democratic plan, smaller than the one already approved, insists on the extra $600 for unemployed
In fact, that resistance to the figure and the inability to reach an agreement was what led To President Donald Trump signing an executive order in early August for an extra-weekly incentive of $300.
The money, which has been redirected from federal emergency management agency (FEMA) funds to meet unemployment payments for about 6 weeks or until the money lasts, has already been distributed in most states that hosted the president’s “Lost Wage Assistance” program. Although unofficial reports indicated that support could be extended from the Executive, there is nothing concrete at the moment.
In addition to the proposal for extra money to the unemployed, the Democratic proposal includes checks of $1,200 minimum for individuals, similar to those distributed under the CARES act.
A letter to Democratic lawmakers from Majority Speaker Nancy Pelosi states that legislation estimated at $2.2 trillion “includes new funds needed to reverse the catastrophe in schools, small businesses, restaurants, arts and acting spaces, for airline workers and others.”
Although the project includes issues that lawmakers have not been able to agree on in recent months, Democrats are betting that the initiative will shorten distances among members of Congress.
“Democrats are doing very well in their promise to commit to this updated measure,” Pelosi says in the misiva. “We’ve been able to make critical additions and reduce the cost of legislation by shortening coverage time for now,” he added.
In this process, Pelosi has been communicating with Treasury Department Secretary Steven Mnuchin over the past few days; and is expected to do the same today.
