Senate Democrats Propose $2,000 Monthly Payments for Coronavirus Relief

Three progressive senators released the details of their Monthly Economic Crisis Support Act on Friday, which proposes to give most Americans $2,000 per month, ending three months after the Department of Health & Human Services declares the public health crisis over.

Sens. Kamala Harris (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Ed Markey (D-MA) on Friday announced their pitch for additional cash relief payments to Americans in response to the coronavirus pandemic — a crisis that sparked nationwide lockdowns, suffocating the economy and leading to millions of Americans reporting job losses.

Under their proposal, individuals making up to $120,000 per year would  be entitled to a $2,000 monthly relief check — up from the $1,200 cash relief payment made to most Americans via the CARES Act passed in March. The amount would increase to $4,000 for married couples who file jointly and would provide $2,000 for each child — up to three — up from the $500 each provided in the $2 trillion CARES Act.

Not only would qualifying Americans be entitled to the money during the crisis, they would be entitled to a retroactive payment to March. Additionally, the payments would extend three months after HHS “determines that the public health 20 emergency declared by such Secretary under section 21 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 22 247d) on January 31, 2020, with respect to COVID23 19, has ended,” per the measure.

According to Politico, the cash payments would be issued “regardless of whether people have a Social Security number or filed taxes last year”:

Millions of Americans don't know how they're going to pay for groceries, rent, utilities, or medicine.

Our legislation with @SenKamalaHarris and @SenMarkey provides every working family with $2,000 a month, per person, until this crisis is over: https://t.co/XIO5k47RJD

— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) May 8, 2020

Today I’m introducing a bill with @BernieSanders and @EdMarkey to provide $2,000 monthly payments to people during—and for three months after—this crisis.

A one-time payment is not enough. https://t.co/YBHTxMbZ3D

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) May 8, 2020

Direct and recurring monthly payments to all people—including their children—will protect and lift up the most vulnerable during this crisis, especially immigrants, low-income families, and gig economy workers. https://t.co/HlxGZf6TJg

— Ed Markey (@EdMarkey) May 8, 2020

The proposal comes as House Democrats rush to hammer out the details of what could be another multi-trillion dollar coronavirus relief measure.

According to Politico, “Senior Democratic aides said Pelosi and the committees will be working through the weekend on the package,” but the content of the coming measure remains largely unknown, even among Democrats.

“Still, several Democrats have privately complained they have no idea what will be in the final legislation, waiting like most of Washington for when Pelosi releases the text,” the outlet reported.