As coronavirus and unrest continue to sweep the nation, Congress has created another stimulus plan — and passed it in just a few days of debate.
The HEROES act has already made its way through Congress and is now heading to the Senate. If approved there, it would be the next in a wave of stimulus packages designed to help an ailing economy. Strong job numbers and a significant drop in unemployment reporting this week could make Senate Republicans hesitate to pass this enormous bill, which proposes another round of cash to many individual citizens and plenty of extra spending.
This latest stimulus proposal includes another significant cash payout — this feature is probably the most interesting to the media and those making less than $75,000 per year — the key beneficiaries of the windfall. The HEROES act includes far more than immediate relief for individuals though — and soaring costs may mean that the bill does not pass the Republican-led senate.
Here’s what’s included:
- $1200 per qualifies individual as a cash stimulus
- Relief for states, including additional funds for social programs and unemployment
- Health insurance assistance for jobless and laid off workers
- Extended unemployment benefits
- Front line worker hazard pay
- Spending to boost and stabilize the housing market
Most of the individuals who qualify for unemployment have been receiving an additional $600 per week in benefits; this short term solution is designed to end on July 31, unless another bill extends it. The HEROES act would extend this benefit until the ned of 2020.
Additional Medicaid funds for states, to cover increased costs of home care and ensure that more seniors and disabled individuals can be cared for at home instead of in an institutional setting.
SNAP food assistance benefits increase of 15% for qualified individuals, including most seniors. This alson includes an increase in SNAP benefits for those over hte age of 60; this increase would be on top of any additional funds offered to all recipients.
Various social programs that Democrats wish to fund in a hurry; some are related to the stimulus plans and others are not.
The viability of the HEROES Act depends on the economy in the next few weeks. Senator Mitch McConnell has already stated this would be the “last” stimulus package if it passed at all, and conservatives are wary of all the extra spending that has been crammed into the bill. While there is certainly relief included for many, the amount of miscelleanous and extra spending could make Senate Republicans balk at the $3 trillion bill, which would impact the budget for the next decade.
The next step for the HEROES bill is to pass the Republican-led Senate, then go for final approval to President Donald Trump. Some of the over the top spending and added programming may need to be addressed before this can happen.
No we don’t want this round of tax raising bills passed by the dems.We are in debt now,don’t add more too it as the dems want.sorry but there is too much waste i it.stop the give aways…If they want to do anything do a new verision of the old CCC jobs corps.Start to rebuild the countries bridges,roads and all crumbing items that need to be repaired.Give them jobs to EARN a living,stop all the freebies.Dems want you to be dependent on them,another form of slavery???
While the bridges built under the 1933 CCC were of quality–many are still in use today, I just cannot see how such specialized work would be done by mostly untrained people. A major investment in infrastructure and as such–needs to be handled by skilled and trained workers. Today–there are few manual labor jobs–even in the public sector. Freebies–me, I have worked for almost five decades–sometimes at two or three jobs a day–simply to keep a roof over my family, food on the table, and perhaps if a little extra money–maybe a movie or other form of entertainment. Taught to keep debt to a low amount–so if something happens–we can continue to survive. We usually have a garden–which provides much fresh vegetables, and also helps with the food budget. And twice in those fifty years–I have drawn unemployment benefits. Once for six weeks, the other, about five days, before I had found another job. Yes, it was nice to have some money coming in–but well under what I usually earned. While it allowed me to keep my head above water–never did it be enough free money, to see me wishing to remain on the dole. This being America–nobody should be going hungry, or sleeping under bridges–but some that are–do so because of their own reasons.
Don’t forget all the freebies the ILLEGALS would get also, the mail in voting so people can commit fraud, etc etc. You know all the things they don’t mention in these articles. Most people getting the EXTRA $600 a week don’t want to go back to work. They’d rather mouch off the taxpayers
No pork for Democrats!
Wilber Williams is totally right! Could not have said it better myself!!
Leave it to the unscrupulous disingenuous Democrats to name the bill (Heroes Act) for what it’s not. If they are really serious about helping the country, take away all the extra baggage they put in it to pander to illegal immigrants.
No more damn it! Corruption, pork, sleight of hand= demoncraps! Let crazy Nancy share her ice cream with the people in her district!
Small business initiative is necessary to jump start the recovery. Support for those small businesses which have survived is critical for long term growth. Our economic recovery depends on it.
The extension of unemployment benefits is a slippery slope. The bill should incentivize those returning to the workforce.
Stop this shit now
Stop this shit now, you are giving money to Antifa to fund them!
No, I do not support the ‘Heroes’ act .
Let the local gov’t provide for the needy in their areas and then submit receipts for reimbursement. I guarantee it would be less costly to the American people, hold local officials accountable, reduces misuse of monies…
I may be wrong but …
With our Great Country finally opening back up for business, and doing well despite the two bookend Governors, Cuomo and Newsome, dragging their feet and states downward, no more Stimulus is needed. If the special benefits on top of unemployment checks continue, people will not want to give that up and return to the jobs they before the overblown Dempanic swept over the Country. Besides that5 Nutty Nancy sees this as a last effort to get her crap, that will never pass on it’s own merit, shoved down the fine working Citizens of our Great Country. If this passes the Senate, it will make the President look bad to all the slackers in the Country, and Nutty Nancy along with Up-Chuck Schumer will use it against the President Trump at Election time. The same result woul play out even if President Trump did sign it into law. Either way the DemocRats will use it against the President. So it’s better to just kick start the Country an save the billions in nasty DemocRat Pork.
Is this someone’s idea of a joke? That would total 36 weeks of a $600 Federal Supplement to a person’s unemployment as provided by the state. That’s $21,600, that has been added to a low of the maximum of $235 in unemployment in Mississippi to the highest award of $823 per week in Massachusetts. I’ll do the favor of the math for you. An unemployed person in Massachusetts gets $1423/week ( $51,228 over 36 weeks) whereas the person from Mississippi gets $835/week ($30,060 over the 36 week proposed coverage period) and that’s for only 2/3 of a year.
Remember, no such supplement, not even a sharply reduced one was afforded to those on Social Security where their award can be as little as $783/MONTH for what was supposed to be our insurance for retirement. That’s right, INSURANCE, for which we paid a weekly premium all the years that we worked. It’s original name was “Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance,” which was a Federal program signed into law in 1935 by FDR. What is wrong with unemployment is that the maximum benefit (at age 62) is $3011/month. A person who qualifies for this award never paid more than $8,215 a year in FICA (SS) taxes because any amount earned above an ever increasing cut off currently set a $132,500/ year. Social Security while collecting an equal amount up to a set maximum per year in taxes seems to be awarding a disproportionate share of the collective fund to already rich people. To clarify this I need to warn, don’t get too upset yet, because on the low end there are plenty of people who never paid anywhere near the maximum in Social Security taxes. It would require someone much more versed in Social Security and mathematics to determine how equitable the program really is. None the less, Social Security has been more recently relegated under the heading of entitlement programs, which it is not….at least not to those of us who were sold the idea as an insurance program for our old age.
When control of the funds was taken from the agency itself, and just lumped into the general ledger, allowing the Feds to get their hands on it–from the first President that dipped into the fund to pay for their pie in the sky programs, the Feds have raided it to the tune of around 17trillion dollars–all taken without any repayment plan in place. As the funds start drying up–less workers, etc, we that have worked our lives paying into the system–are being threatened with their loss. Heck, I wish I could simply borrow money–use it how I wish, without requirement of my bank’s approval–and zero repayment plan in place. Really, that would make my quality of life so much less complicated. Instead–I have to borrow within their rules, and spend it for exactly what I borrowed it for–or face charges. Yep, going to jail for lying on a loan application–a great way to spend retirement years. Nope, not this kid. Almost out of debt, retired, and look forward to my wife retiring soon–and spending our days out on the lake fishing and having the fun we did without all those years.
NO MORE STIMULOUS PORK. Lest we forget the Federal Government HAS NO MONEY to hand out! When they print more paper money it simply degrades the value of ALL our currency in our savings for retirement or in our pockets. The last report on federal deficite was $34 TRILLION and that was BEFORE all the stimulus give-aways. NO MATTER WHAT NAME THEY GIVE IT THERE IS NO MORE MONEY TO HAND OUT.
Congress doesn’t understand simple economics.
Social Security is NOT an entitlement!!! We all worked very hard for many years to contribute to it. Social Security should only be given to people that paid into it and NO ONE ELSE.
Unemployment benefits should be given to all that qualify for it. The additional payment of $600.00 per week is certainly NOT an incentive for people to return to work. You don’t have to be a genius to figure that out.
The country is in a terrible financial situation. Let’s not squander money as it all has to be paid back eventually. Use common sense at this crucial time and always!!!
Trump mentioned some Capital Gains relief. It could be helpful for retired people paying too much in taxes. It could be a one time thing for 2020 only. It should be limited to lower income retirees. It would reward responsible people who have saved and find themselves losing savings by increasing taxes. It would provide more available dollars for immediate use. This is not government money; it money people saved for themselves to be more self-suffient.
I don’t think we need this in total added to the debt this country has. Some parts of it may be needed but not in total. We need to get our people back to work and not pay unemployment if they refuse to go back to work. We need to get back to work and open our businesses so the economy will boom again. We must be firm on this til something proves us wrong.
NO! if people keep getting paid more not to work, than they get when they work, they will not get back to work.
We don’t need any Hero’s Act spending bill. Put every body back to work . Sick folk need to be in the hospital but well folk need to be working NOW. This Country has been shut down too long now. Put the folk that are rioting and looting to work or put them in the grave. Working folk don’t have time to riot and loot. The idle mind is the devil’s work shop. Larry Moore
My wife has worked through all this mess–essential service in retail. And avoided the first round of the infection. Now less than two weeks into the reopening of America–there are at least five cases, new ones, where she works. And likely to get worse as we progress. This whole mess have been mishandled from the beginning. Imagine bringing infected people and putting them in populated areas–and surprise–you have those areas that became hotbeds for the disease. But rather than offend or take someone’s rights–others decided to continue their lives–without taking any precautions–and they too–infected.
Until the reopening–my tiny County had a zero case history. Now–we are at upper double digits for active cases–businesses have started re-closing and we are almost right back to square one. Too soon, and too quickly, and we will pay the price. But through it all, I do not blame Trump, he gets his information from a bunch of “experts”, and they have changed their tunes so many times–the truth as to what we must do–and how to do it, vanished.
STOP THIS STIMULUS BILL NOW. NO MORE MCCONNEL
The riots that swept the country spur outbreaks of coronavirus. And Congress is trying to stimulate these riots by trying to pump more money into them. Congress! finally, get down to business – stop the chaos in the country, which you seem to – do not notice – you are loafers!
No more handouts. It is time people go out and get a job and actually do some work. AND as for senile Nancy P and her band of thugs they want to turn America into a Marxist state and we don’t need their kind . They praise Antifa unless president Trump says they are bad they praise sanctuary cities and they condone disbanding police forces America wake up this is for real if you don’t stand up for what is right the demo rats will take your rights away from you PDQ Nancy P. Chuck S. and the likes will see that you the American people do.
Didn’t the dumb ass dead beats in Washington just vote them self a $22,000 pay increase. GOD OLE DEMO’S, ALL THEY EVER DO IS GIVE YOUR MONEY AWAY, GIVE YOU A HANDOUT, RAISE YOUR TAXES THEN BEG YOU TO VOTE FOR THEM.
REMEMBER, IF YOU ARE TIRED OF GETTING WHAT YOU ARE GETTING,, THEN STOP GIVING THEM EVERY THING YOU HAVE.
We don’t need any more stimulus, get everyone working again! If you keeping giving so much Stimulus money And extra unemployment Their will be lots of people who would rather not go to work and just sit home and collect free money that the rest of us have to pay for for decades to come!
They rioted, burned cities and are still causing problems. No we should NOT be giving states money. They allowed and even joined in on the destruction. Let them bail themselves out.
The first stimulus bill, I believe, has been adequate to get our economy going again. Any more money being delegated out will only come back to haunt us in the future. Not to mention President Trump who seems to be doomed no matter what he does!! Everyone just hold on and let the economy work itself out. God has a plan for us. Everything will be okay.
THE WRATH OF GOD IS ON PLANET EARTH, Deer are eating Home backyard vegetables, Corporation Vegetable Farm Crisis, Americans need Foods Stamp Cards , American Food Centers for Working Americans in year 2020. Year 2020 , a Horror on Planet Earth in all things. FOCUS: ” Food and Water , our Priority of Life ! WE THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA HAVE BECOME THE HOLLYWOOD MOVIES: ” ROAD WARRIOR “, ” ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK “, ” LOGANS RUN”, “SOYLENT GREEN”, ” NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD”, ” THE BLOB” , ” DRACULA ” ,
” SALEM ‘S LOT, “BIRTH OF A NATION” , ONLY HOLY ,CELESTIAL BEING, CREATOR GOD CAN SAVE AMERICA ! NO DEMOCRAT AND NO REPUBLICAN CAN SAVE AMERICA !
I agree with 95% of these comments. I could see no reason to give every adult $1200 and every child $500 with no accountability attached. That much money is staggering for 325 million legal citizens . Let alone others who will get money through Democrats and their machinations . So, what can we do to stop this destruction of America the land we love? Are you all registered to vote? Are you going to vote? Will you help those who may not vote because they cannot get to the polls? Or who have not received a mail-in ballot? We need to help however we can to get those voters out to vote. I propose that we encourage everyone to vote Republican to take back the House of Representatives from the likes of Pelosi and her policies to make all of us dependent on the government., and giving Planned Parenthood $1 billion more dollars to step up their killing of all our future generations in addition to the $560 million taxpayers’ dollars PPL is already receiving every year. That extra $1 billion was denied to Pelosi/Schumer who wanted it to be funded in the first Relief bill, or the Dems would not support helping small businesses, which was the main intent of the first bill. Thank Heaven the.Republicans beat it back but had to agree to some other issues to get the DMs support and finally get the $$ out. 2) We need to vote in 61 true conservative Republican Senators to overcome the RINOs and actually get more work accomplished for the good of our nation’s people like you and me and to save our future generations! 3). If you can squeeze out at least $5, send it to a Republican candidate. If we do these 3 things we will help to keep the American dream alive and will preserve our nation. I am a 76 yr. old widow, mother of 7 who paid their own way through college and have given us 29 wonderful self-reliant grandchildren! I live on a fixed income and every month I give 10% to my church first. then I pay my bills/obligations.” Next I donate an equal amount of money to 8 different Republican candidates who I have studied up on from across our country and to at least 1 service organization. The next month I donate to 8 different candidates, etc. This system works for me and it has taken me a while to work it out. I support Pres. Trump and am grateful to him for all the good he has done for this country inspite of all the hate that he and his family have had heaped on them.
Person I feel sorry for the most? MR. PELOSI !!
There is no reason to extend the unemployment until the end of 2020. This is just allowing people not to work. I am totally against that and also for the Democrats to fund various programs. Like what, Antifa, or Planned Parenthood. We should not be giving money to the cities that sat back and let the rioters destroy their cities. The governors and mayors of these cities did not allow their police department to do their job nor let the National Guard come in to help properly, so now they need to reap what they sowed.
It’s time the Republican stand together and stop letting the Democrats (mini Antifa) hold us hostage. As a Republican I am really disappointed in some of the Republicans that turned RINO. You are killing America which is exactly what the Democrats want to do. They are trying to destroy America and you Republicans who are there to represent us are allowing them to do so. I have children & Grandchildren and I expect them to grow up in a FREE AMERICA and expect YOU REPUBLICANS to do you damn job & keep America free. GOD BLESS AMERICA
I think we have a number of Senate and House members who are flat out communists
and they have infiltrated our government with the intent to destroy our USA!!!
So please be very careful when it comes time to vote this year, check out your
candidates very carefully, and make sure you are voting for those who will support
our USA…and cut out wasteful spending…. We don’t need to continue with this
stimulus package…open up and get back to work, folks…The Democrats who have
held back re-opening have caused a huge economic hit to their states….let them
suffer as a result…and take care of their problems themselves…not with my tax dollars!!!