Here's What You Need to Remember: “Our country is still deeply struggling. The recovery hasn’t reached many Americans—the true unemployment rate for low-wage workers is estimated at over 20 percent and many people face large debts from last year for things like utilities, rent and child care,” the petition contended.

For those who haven’t been keeping count, know that nearly $400 billion has already been disbursed as part of the current third round of coronavirus stimulus checks under President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan.

A massive amount for sure, but there are still plenty of cash-strapped Americans who are demanding even more financial help amid the ongoing pandemic.

For much of the past year, Democrats have pressed Biden via letters and interviews to fast-track another round or two of stimulus payments. Although they have been largely unsuccessful in this endeavor, they have made it known that they are also pushing for “automatic stabilizers” for future stimulus funds.

If Congress ever green-lights such a bill, that would mean millions of Americans would be on the receiving end of automatic stimulus payments that will be directly deposited into their respective bank accounts.

“The pandemic has served as a stark reminder that families and workers need certainty in a crisis,” said a letter sent by six members of the House Ways and Means Committee to Biden.

“They deserve to know they can put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads,” they added.

In recent weeks, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki has taken dozens of questions regarding future payments. Although she remained relatively noncommittal regarding another round, she still hasn’t definitively said no to more money heading out to Americans.

“(Biden) is happy to hear from a range of ideas on what would be most effective and what’s most important to the economy moving forward,” she recently told reporters.

“But he’s also proposed what he thinks is going to be the most effective for the short-term for putting people back to work, to getting through this pivotal period of time and also to making us more competitive in the long-term,” she added.

Ordinary Americans are also trying to make themselves heard, as more than 2.3 million people have already signed a Change.org petition that is calling for recurring monthly checks of $2,000 for adults and $1,000 for children.

“Our country is still deeply struggling. The recovery hasn’t reached many Americans—the true unemployment rate for low-wage workers is estimated at over 20 percent and many people face large debts from last year for things like utilities, rent and child care,” the petition contended.

“Supplying Americans with monthly support until they can get back on their feet can save our communities from financial ruin. We need immediate checks and recurring payments so that we can keep our heads above water. Congress needs to make sure that we won’t be left financially ruined for doing our part to keep the country healthy,” it continued.

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. This article first appeared earlier this year.

Image: Reuters.