House passes $2.2 trillion Democratic coronavirus stimulus bill

The House of Representatives passed a $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief bill Thursday evening in a 214-207 vote. It will include  a second round of $1,200 stimulus checks and provide $600 weekly federal unemployment benefits, but this does not mean Americans will see this money right away if all as the two sides still hammer out the details. Mnuchin has offered a $1.6 trillion package.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) Has been a critic of the bill and calls it reckless.

Pelosi Floor Speech in Support of the Updated Heroes Act

Oct 1, 2020

Press Release

Contact: Speaker’s Press Office,

202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. — Speaker Nancy Pelosi delivered remarks on the Floor of the House of Representatives in support of H.R. 8406, an updated version of the Heroes Act, which addresses the needs that have developed since the House passed an earlier iteration and formalizes House Democrats’ proffer in negotiations with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.   Below are the Speaker’s remarks:

Speaker Pelosi.   Thank you, Madam Chair, for yielding.   Mr. Chair, thank you.

I’m honored to be on the Floor today to support a bill brought to the Floor by the distinguished Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Nita Lowey of New York.   Her service on that Committee for decades has been a blessing to our country.   I have seen firsthand her leadership for America’s families, for our country, for our communities and for our children.   We have worked together on women’s issues, HIV/AIDS, you name it, every subject, minority health issues and the rest.   And here we are today with this legislation that is so needed for our country.

And I don’t — it’s really hard to understand what it is that people would oppose in the legislation.   The Appropriations Committee has done a masterful job.   You have been a maestro, Madam Chair, as well as your staff for putting this legislation together.

And I’m in Congress because of children.   I’m always here for the children.   And I want to start my comments by saying what this legislation would mean to a family of four.   In a family of four, this is a lifeline for workers and families who are facing this coronavirus disaster.   For a family of four earning $24,000, Heroes 2 would mean direct payments, a $3,400 direct payment; unemployment benefits, $600 per week enhanced UI   benefits; tax credits, up to $5,920 through the EITC and a fully refundable $4,000 [Child] Tax Credit, equaling additional $1,200 in refunds.

And I mention that, because some have said, ‘Well, why don’t you do like this other bill?’ and that.   None of that, that I just said, the tax credits, the Earned Income Tax Credit, fully refundable Child Tax Credit, none of that is in any of the Republican bills.   None of the bills that you have seen, other than this bill, has that consideration for children.   So, when people say, ‘Well, why don’t you take half a loaf?’   Because the children need more than the heel of a half of a loaf.   They need the best we can do for them.

It has an increase in SNAP benefits for over a — an increase of $100 a month in most states, plus rental assistance and the ACA premium subsidy — this immediately gives immediate eligibility for parents losing their jobs the maximum health insurance premium subsidy under the ACA, the Affordable Care Act, a benefit worth $1,386 per month.     For further reading visit-