The U.S. House of Representatives revealed a new COVID-19 relief bill that would include a potential stimulus check for Americans, Reuters reports.
- The new bill — which Democrats hope to pass sometime this week — includes stimulus checks and methods for providing more money for COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
- “The plan would offer direct payments to households, extended federal unemployment benefits, aid to state and local governments, and other steps,” according to Reuters.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said she plans to have the House vote on the bill by the end of the week, Reuters reports.
Will it pass?
There’s one point of controversy in the bill — it includes a proposal that would raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 an hour by 2025, according to Reuters.
- Republicans oppose the idea. Senate Democrats mostly approve of the measure, but there has been some dispute.
- CNN reported last week that Democrats would need all of its members to approve the bill for it to pass. So far, Sens. Kyrsten Sinema, of Arizona, and Joe Manchin, of West Virginia have opposed elements of the plan, according to Fox News.
The stimulus check
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This current bill calls for direct payments of $1,400 for individuals and $5,600 for a family of four, as I wrote about for the Deseret News.
- The bill has a threshold of $75,000 — meaning those who make less than that number would receive the full amount. Married couples who make under $150,000 would receive the full amount too, as I explained for the Deseret News.
- According to the current plan, those who make more than $100,000 and families who earn more than $200,000 would not receive a stimulus check at all, per CNN.