SENATOR Edward J. Markey is calling for a monthly stimulus check to be given to anyone who earns less than $120,000 per year during the coronavirus pandemic.
Alongside Kamala Harris and Bernie Sanders, Senator Markey will introduce the Monthly Crisis Support act, which would provide recurring monthly cash payments to Americans.
In an article published on the Boston Globe, he said: “Working families – and those forced out of their jobs by the coronavirus – must be able to trust that their government is there for them through this economic downturn.
“This bill would provide a direct cash payment of $2,000 each month to individuals with an income below $120,000 until three months after the coronavirus pandemic ends, as well as provide $2,000 for up to three dependents per family, regardless of age.
“Every US resident receives a payment to ensure that no one falls through the cracks,” Markey added.
Unlike the CARES Act, which prohibited undocumented immigrants from receiving payments, the Senators proposed legislation will provide immigrant families with access to cash assistance by using their Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
“Providing recurring monthly payments is the most direct and efficient mechanism for delivering economic relief to those most vulnerable in this crisis, particularly low-income families, immigrant communities, and our gig and service workers.
“Payments under our proposal would provide nearly $600 billion per month to American households, more than twice as much as the CARES Act,” Markey wrote.
In March, Congress passed the coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or “CARES Act,” which provided a one-time $1,200 cash payment to most Americans.
Although, in the nearly three months since the legislation became law another 1.54 million people filed claims for state unemployment benefits last week, the US Department of Labor announced on Thursday.
Senate, House and White House officials will have to reach a deal quickly as the monthly $600 pandemic unemployment assistance expires on July 31.
Senator Sanders also tweeted: “Bills are piling up, rent is due, millions are jobless. A one-time $1,200 check won’t cut it.
“We need to provide $2,000 a month to every man, women and child — and make it retroactive to cover the past three months.”
