Party chairmen react to news of additional relief

For millions of Americans, a second round of financial relief is around the corner. Nearly eight months after the initial $ 1,200 federal relief payments went out, citizens are expected to receive half that.

After months of negotiating, a bipartisan bill worth more than $ 900 billion emerged that includes additional unemployment relief.

Auglaize Democratic Chairman Brent Henschen called the $ 600 COVID- 19 direct payments a start, although he said President Donald Trump should have showed his interest in a higher $ 2,000 direct payment amounts in the months prior to the final negotiations.

Auglaize County Republican Chairman John Bergman said negotiations went longer than they should have, although he understands concerns from Republicans about sending aid overseas, when there is a pandemic at home.

Henschen said he would rather risk those who didn’t quite need the money getting too much rather than needing the money and getting too little.

Bergman felt more stimulus payments would go farther. He hopes the stimulus money gets into the hands of those who really need it as some individuals and businesses have been affected more than others. Bergman didn’t think it was a matter of finding the right direct payment amount as long as the virus was still present. He noted that

Trump had fast- tracked COVID19 vaccines with Operation Warp Speed. Bergman is hoping that recently developed vaccines will also be effective against the new COVID- 19 variant in the UK.