Donald Trump Says Next Stimulus Package to Be ‘Generous’

June 24, 2020 Topic: economy Blog Brand: Politics Tags: Donald TrumpEconomyCoronavirusHealthStimulus

Donald Trump Says Next Stimulus Package to Be ‘Generous’

But will a bill get passed? 

Recent reports out of Washington suggest that President Donald Trump has revealed to aides that he is supportive of sending Americans another round of stimulus checks.

Leading congressional Republicans and some senior White House officials, however, have voiced their opposition regarding sending out more checks.

In an interview with a Washington correspondent for Scripps, which was posted on Twitter, Trump indeed says that there will be a second stimulus check and that an announcement will be made in the coming weeks.

Trump didn’t disclose how large the check would be but did say the stimulus package would be “very generous.”

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has also hinted that the Trump administration would be willing to sign off on another round of checks.

During a Senate hearing a couple of weeks ago regarding Washington’s next coronavirus aid package, Mnuchin said: “I think we’re going to seriously look at whether we want to do more direct money to stimulate the economy. But I think this is all going to be about getting people back to work, and we look forward to working with the entire Senate on this.”

Meantime, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Congress may decide in the next few weeks if it will take up another round.

Last month, the Democratic-run House passed a $3 trillion coronavirus relief bill—which essentially represents an opening offer in discussions with the Trump administration and the Republican-controlled Senate.

The Heroes Act would include a second direct payment to individuals and households of up to $1,200 per family member, capped at $6,000 for a family of five.

Other proposals include a $2,000 monthly payment through the end of the coronavirus pandemic, put forth by Sen. Kamala Harris, and a $4,000 temporary travel tax credit, proposed by the U.S. Travel Association.

To receive a check, there will again likely be certain eligibility restrictions based on annual salary, age and U.S. citizenship or residency status.

Washington is also grappling with a sudden surge in new coronavirus infections all across the country. Arizona reported record-high new coronavirus cases and a continued rise in hospitalizations, as Trump arrived for a rally in Phoenix on Tuesday.

Other hard-hit states include Florida, South Carolina, Texas and Oklahoma. California, meanwhile, reported more than 5,000 new infections Monday, eclipsing its previous record of 4,515 cases the day before.

Ethen Kim Lieser is a Minneapolis-based Science and Tech Editor who has held posts at Google, The Korea Herald, Lincoln Journal Star, AsianWeek and Arirang TV. Follow or contact him on LinkedIn.