by Bob Fredericks (April 15, 2020) New York Post
A pair of House Democrats have introduced legislation that would pay millions of Americans $2,000 a month during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The bill — the Emergency Money for the People Act — was proposed by Reps. Tim Ryan of Ohio and Ro Khanna of California.
“The economic impact of this virus is unprecedented for our country. As millions of Americans file for unemployment week over week, we have to work quickly to patch the dam — and that means putting cash in the hands of hard-working families,” Ryan said in a statement.
The act would provide significant relief to struggling Americans and includes a $2,000 monthly payment to every qualifying American over the age of 16 until US employment returns to pre-pandemic levels, which could take months or even years.
“A one-time, twelve hundred dollar check isn’t going to cut it,” Khanna said about the Trump administration’s current payouts, which were arriving for many starting this week.
“Americans need sustained cash infusions for the duration of this crisis in order to come out on the other side alive, healthy, and ready to get back to work. Members on both sides of the aisle are finally coming together around the idea of sending money out to people. Rep. Ryan and I are urging leadership to include this bill in the fourth COVID relief package to truly support the American working class.”
Every American adult age 16 and older making less than $130,000 annually would receive at least $2,000 per month, the statement said.
Married couples earning less than $260,000 would receive at least $4,000 per month.
Qualifying families with children will receive an additional $500 per child, and families can get payments for up to three children.
A married couple making under $260,000 with 3 kids would receive $5,500 per month, for example.
Those who had no earnings, were unemployed, or are currently unemployed would also be eligible.
