A few months have passed since the beginning of the new year, and the COVID-19 pandemic is still a national concern being actively addressed by the United States government. Over a year’s worth of legislation has been passed to combat this spontaneous blip in history, and with that legislation has come extensive relief plans targeting those threatened financially. Presently, the U.S. approaches its third wave of stimulus payments (the first of which under the Biden administration) to be distributed amongst those it deems most in need of relief. Tri-State area senators, New Jersey’s own Cory Booker being one of them, have proposed continuous payments until economic recovery, though nothing is definitive until the House votes on a plan this coming weekend.
With the current plan, many New Jerseyans have received a great deal of help in their finances. Looking at cities such as Hoboken and Jersey City, most citizens have three major investments to worry about: food, rent, and work commute. For many, stimulus checks have helped to tie up these loose ends to ensure that they are obtaining the essentials. The third stimulus check issued by the U.S. government would continue what the past two set out to accomplish.
The pandemic has forced companies to issue many pay cuts and layoffs, which are still affecting some workers now. Layoffs were especially numerous in New York City and the surrounding areas in New Jersey. Those forced to collect unemployment benefits caused by the pandemic are having their benefits extended as well as receiving additional pay through stimulus checks. How much longer the pandemic will continue to cause disruptions is indeterminate, so the effects of the new relief plan are widely speculative.
On the topic of the upcoming plans, Representative Pamila Jayapal, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, has shown her support for wanting a wider birth of eligibility on stimulus checks. As it stands now, The most recent revisions of the relief plans will disqualify many Americans from receiving stimulus checks and federal benefits. On CNN’s State of the Union she says, “If you raise those income thresholds, you’re going to cut out 40 million Americans who got a relief check under Donald Trump who won’t get a relief check under Joe Biden.” This does not mean, however, that those who are most in need of getting federal aid will be cut off should this come to pass.
On March 2, a group of 10 Democratic senators proposed to President Biden that Americans should be receiving regular stimulus checks, benefits, and unemployment collection until signs of economic revitalization appear. Prominent Tri-State area senators such as Corey Booker, Elizabeth Warren, and Bernie Sanders have all voiced that they believe that this is the way to go.
On this topic, Corey Booker commented, “As families across New Jersey and our country continue to feel the economic pain brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, it’s incumbent upon Congress to take bold action to help the hardest-hit Americans. By including recurring direct payments and automatic unemployment insurance extensions as part of broader COVID relief, we will help ensure families can keep a roof over their heads and food on the table for as long as this crisis persists.”
In short, these Senators are making an effort to guarantee that this third stimulus check will not be the last. Those who are in need of federal aid will continue to get federal aid for the duration of the pandemic. Should their proposal go through, New Jersey will likely be the first to receive benefits and begin more actively helping its citizens to the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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