Third Stimulus Check: Senators Propose Recurring Direct Payments For Low-Income Individuals

A group of senators on Tuesday called for recurring stimulus checks for low-income American households until the economy recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.

In a letter addressed to President Joe Biden, one Democratic senators and one independent, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, urged the president to include the recurring direct payments and automatic extensions on the weekly federal unemployment benefits as part of his “Build Back Better” plan.

“As we work together to get much-needed relief to American families, we appreciate your strong support for direct payments and enhanced unemployment insurance for the millions of families affected by this public health and economic crisis,” the letter began.

“We urge you to include recurring direct payments and automatic unemployment insurance extensions tied to economic conditions in your Build Back Better long-term economic plan. This crisis is far from over, and families deserve certainty that they can put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. Families should not be at the mercy of constantly-shifting legislative timelines and ad hoc solutions,” it continued.

Biden’s “Build Back Better” plan includes measures for infrastructure and jobs as well aid for state, local and tribal governments. The package is expected to follow the Democrats’ $1.9 trillion relief bill, which is currently waiting to be taken up by the Senate for a vote.

The letter cited a study conducted by David Binder Research showing that $1,400 stimulus checks would likely last 60% of 1,500 Americans interviewed less than three months. At least 30% of Black respondents said the direct payments would only last up to two weeks.

The senators also noted a recent letter in which 150 top senior executives from U.S. companies voiced their support for more relief to boost the economy.

“Previous federal relief measures have been essential, but more must be done to put the country on a trajectory for a strong, durable recovery. Congress should act swiftly and on a bipartisan basis to authorize a stimulus and relief package along the lines of the Biden-Harris administration's proposed American Rescue Plan,” the letter read.

The senators did not mention specifics about their proposal for recurring payments — such as the size of the checks and income eligibility level.

The proposal was signed by Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Alex Padilla, D-Calif., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Ed Markey, D-Mass., Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis.