Over 20,000 signatures are needed to reach the goal of 3 million in a petition calling for the government to offer $2,000 stimulus checks each month for the length of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stephanie Bonin of Denver, Colorado, launched the Change.org petition in 2020. Since then, Americans have used this medium to call upon Congress to provide more economic assistance to those affected by the current pandemic.
“I’m calling on Congress to support families with a $2,000 payment for adults and a $1,000 payment for kids immediately, and continuing regular checks for the duration of the crisis,” the petition stated.
By the time of writing, almost 2,779,000 signatures had been collected—just shy of the 3 million goal by about 21,000 signatures.
The idea of regular monthly payments for Americans was first proposed by progressive lawmakers in 2020, even though it currently appears unlikely Congress will act on such a proposal in the near future.
The idea of sending out direct stimulus checks on a monthly basis has been backed by more than 80 Democratic lawmakers since then.
More than a million signatures have been collected on Change.org petitions calling on Congress and/or President Biden to take action and offer more economic assistance to the American people.
It is being proposed that the stimulus be boosted by a fourth payment or by regular monthly payments.
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Congress came together to assist ordinary Americans and businesses following the outbreak of the pandemic in March 2020.
With the CARES Act, most Americans received up to $1,200 in stimulus payments. A bipartisan economic relief package was passed by Congress in December of last year, including additional direct payments up to $600.
As soon as Democrats gained control of the White House and Congress after the 2020 election, they passed Biden’s American Rescue Plan.
The bill included $1,400 stimulus checks for an additional round of spending. Despite the bipartisan nature of the first round of economic relief, Republican lawmakers did not support the American Rescue Plan.
Democrats have applauded the American Rescue Plan’s expanded child tax credits, as the White House appears reluctant to approve further stimulus checks.
The popular policy provides parents of children ages 5 and under $300 per month and parents of children ages 6 to 17 $250 per month.
If Biden’s Build Back Better Act does not extend these payments by December 15, the last of these payments are scheduled to go out on that date.
There is still a puzzling atmosphere in the Senate over the large social spending package, with Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and West Virginia Sen yet to support the bill. Joe Manchin not giving their approval. About 50 Senators of the Senate’s Democratic Caucus must support the legislation in order for it to pass, as the chamber is evenly split on politics.
Meanwhile, the Republican Party has been sounding the alarm about inflation and the effects of an increase in government spending.
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Republican lawmakers blame the American Rescue Plan for inflation already nearing a 40-year high.
It is highly possible that Republicans will say that giving Americans more stimulus checks will only worsen the problems.