WHY FEWER PEOPLE MAY GET THE NEXT STIMULUS CHECKS

Democrats seeking bill before benefits run out but still facing opposition.

Senate Democratic WASHINGTON — leaders and President Joe Biden have agreed to more narrowly target which Americans would be eligible for a $1,400 stimulus payment in the latest COVID-19 relief measure.

Tens of millions of Americans are still expected to get a check, but fewer will receive one than under the version passed last week by the House. “I think it’s an appropriate way of bringing this to a successful conclusion,” Sen. Michael Bennet, D-colo., said.

Not every Democrat was on board with the proposed change, which was pushed by moderate Democrats. “People desperately need resources, and we need to get these checks out the door,” said Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-wash. “I think the package as it was originally crafted is good to go.”

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday that Biden also would have preferred the higher income threshold but understands that compromise is needed. Senate Democrats hope by the end of the week to approve their version of the $1.9 trillion economic aid bill, which then will go back to the House.

Other key parts

As part of the new proposal, Senate Democrats would maintain the $400 weekly federal unemployment supplement Biden requested and the House passed, rather than dropping it to $300.

The other most notable change from the House version will be removing language to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth Macdonough advised last week that because Democrats are using a budget reconciliation process, they cannot include policy changes, such as raising the national minimum wage.

Another option being considered was providing the expanded federal unemployment aid through September. The bill also includes billions of dollars for COVID-19 vaccines and testing; for schools and state and local governments; a quarter of a trillion in emergency jobless benefits; and targeted aid to the ailing restaurant and airline industries.

Opposition

Republicans have called the bill too expensive and say it doesn’t spend enough on directly fighting the disease or reopening schools and businesses. They’ve lambasted the package for including Democratic priorities unrelated to the virus. Several progressive lawmakers said they want to see details before deciding on the proposed changes.

March 14 a key date

Final Senate passage of the bill is expected sometime Friday or Saturday. Due to the Senate changes, the House will need to pass the revised version before sending it to Biden’s desk. Democrats are rushing to get the bill to Biden before expanded unemployment benefits end March 14.