Biden Backs $1400 Direct Payments

On February 4th, 2021, the Senate endorsed President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus package, with direct payment of $1400 instead of $2000.

One of Joe Biden’s campaign promises was direct payments of $2000 checks to the American People. In an article by the New York Times, House Democrats proposed legislation sending direct payments of $1400 to individuals making up to $70,000 or households with an income up to $150,000. The $1400 check will be boosting the stimulus package passed in December with $600 checks. When combining the December stimulus check with the $1400 check it will be a total of $2000.

The stimulus package laid out by Democrats is planned to be passed by budget reconciliation. Budget reconciliation is a legislative device that makes legislation easier to be passed. Reconciliation starts with a Congressional Budget Resolution which cannot be stalled by a filibuster (a legislative device that lets a senator or group of senators talk about anything however long they want until 3/5th of the chamber votes to end debate).

The plan laid out $1400 direct payments, funding for vaccine distribution, schools reopening, a provision increasing the minimum wage to $15 by 2025, and other measures. There was unanimous support for committees to prevent tax increases on small businesses and amendments to restrict $1400 direct payments to high-income earners.

In an article by the Hill, Biden met with House Democrats and reiterated that he was committed to passing the $1400 checks. The President then met with Senate Democrats for roughly 90 minutes. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said there was “universal agreement [that] we must go big and bold.”

An article from the New York Times says that President Biden also had met with 10 Republican Senators and they proposed a stimulus package of $618 billion with reduced direct payments of $1000, $160 billion for vaccine development and distribution, and $20 billion for schools to reopen. The Republican plan also provides relief for small businesses and additional aid for individuals. The Republicans’ stimulus plan was one third of President Biden’s stimulus package, which he said was “not in the cards.” According to Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, “He [President Biden] didn’t concede anything.”

The Senate endorsed President Biden’s stimulus package along party lines with a tie-breaking vote cast by Vice-President Kamala Harris.

The stimulus package from President Biden will provide relief for families, schools, and vaccine distribution.