Senate Majority Leader Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) (Photo by Mario Tama / Getty Images)
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell now supports the stimulus checks in the next stimulus package.
Here’s what you need to know.
Stimulus assays
As Congress drafts the next stimulus package, McConnell is now backing a condition that millions of Americans have been waiting for: the second stimulus scrutiny. There are many reasons why you may not have gotten a second incentive check yet. However, while the stimulus package has yet to be finalized, McConnell could support one-off $ 600 incentive checks for individuals. why now? Here are 5 possible reasons:
1. Motivation checks can help boost the odds of an election
according to The New York TimesMcConnell (R. Kentucky) wants to boost two Republican campaigns in the US Senate run-off in Georgia on January 5th. By agreeing to direct payments before the election, McConnell can signal to voters in Georgia that Republicans have led the effort to provide tangible financial relief. The outcome of these two elections will determine the balance of power in the US Senate next year. McConnell is politically shrewd, and this last-minute federal relief from the Coronavirus could make the difference to two relatively close elections. If Republicans maintain control of the US Senate, McConnell will continue as the majority leader and will play a central role in influencing public policy in the Biden administration.
2. Smaller stimulus controls can satisfy fiscal conservatives
Although the White House and Democrats in Congress agreed on second stimulus controls in principle earlier this year, fiscal conservatives opposed a new round of controls. In July, Senator Lindsay Graham (R-South Carolina) said: Fox News Half of Republicans will vote “no” for any other help. This is just a fact. For several months, fiscal conservatives have voiced their opposition to large stimulus programs, including second stimulus checks. While the potential inclusion of stimulus checks will not fully satisfy financial conservatives, a smaller incentive check may provide some relief.
3. Stimulus checks can mean less unemployment insurance
Motivation checks are not free. When it comes to economic stimulus, Congress may cut short one program to pay for another. One possibility is that Congress is reducing the amount of unemployment insurance boosted to fund stimulus operations. For example, one suggestion is to introduce weekly unemployment benefits of $ 300 until April. However, with the possibility of the inclusion of the second stimulus checks, Congress may reduce the amount of unemployment insurance, which could expire in March, for example. Once again, this could be related to political situations, as Republican senators can “claim victory” on both direct payments and employment insurance.
4. Stimulus checks can avoid large state and local aid
State and local aid was a top priority for both House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (of California) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (Democrat, New York). Pelosi and Schumer represent two states – California and New York, respectively – that will be major recipients of state and local aid. While the Democrats wanted up to a trillion dollars in support for state and local governments, Republicans pressed the Senate to exclude state and local aid. why? Senate Republicans believe the funding will go primarily to Democratic governors and mayors who believe they should not receive the bailout. The stimulus checks give Republicans a “cover” and shift the focus away from state and local aid.
5. Stimulus checks are essential due to the Covid-19 pandemic
McConnell might really believe that Americans are being hurt by the holiday season and need basic financial help. McConnell has supported stimulus checks in the past, including in the Welfare Act (the $ 2.2 trillion stimulus package passed by Congress in March). Given the increase in Covid cases and the ongoing financial uncertainty, McConnell can think this is the time for the next round of direct payments.
Next steps
There is no guarantee that Congress will include the second stimulus tests in the next stimulus package. Other members of Congress are pressing to include $ 1,200 incentive checks in the next stimulus package. For example, this includes Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Democrat, New York), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (of Michigan) as well as Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Senator Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), among others. Earlier this year, a $ 1,200 stimulus check seemed to be a more realistic possibility given the White House buying and Congressional leadership, although verifying the $ 1,200 stimulus seemed less likely.
