Pelosi Is Daring Republicans To Pass $2,000

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi offered Wednesday to immediately pass $2,000 direct checks to US residents, hours after Trump called for them to be included in the coronavirus aid bill that passed Monday.

The move puts congressional Republicans in a tough spot. They pushed for smaller stimulus checks during COVID negotiations, only to be immediately undermined by their own president. In a “dear colleague” letter sent to members of the House, Pelosi offered to pass the $2,000 checks by unanimous consent on Christmas Eve if Republicans will go along with it.

It’s unlikely that the checks will actually pass. Congress typically does not make changes to massive, negotiated bills after they are passed and Republicans had already railed about the high price tag of the one they voted on. Trump could still veto the coronavirus package if Republicans don’t meet his new demands, delaying the $600 checks and other critical aid Congress agreed to.

Under the current wording of the bill, adults who earn up to $75,000 will receive $600 checks, and couples who earn up to $150,000 combined will receive $1,200. Parents will also receive $600 for each child dependent under the age of 17, but no money for older children or adult dependents. For people who earn above $75,000, the size of the checks is phased out at a rate of $5 for every $100 of income, drawing down to zero at $87,000 or $174,000 for joint filers.

Trump has just opened the proverbial “Pandora’s box” with his threat of vetoing the proposal unless it includes higher stimulus checks. This was always the push by Democrats but now it just draws a clear line between the two parties with the crucial Georgia Senate election just around the corner. Will the Republicans stick to the original proposal or placate Trump? If they stick with their proposed $600 they risk angering voters wanting more especially after Trump has fallen in line with the Dems. The old, fat, and not so jolly St. Nick has just handed Pelosi and her party a gift.

In 2008 We Bailed Out Companies, But Not People. Are We About To Do It Again?

Nearly 10 million homeowners lost their homes to foreclosures as a result of the 2008 subprime mortgage fiasco. They got virtually nothing. Meanwhile, more than $1 trillion was handed out to save banks and other large corporations, many of which are now more valuable than they were then.

The gop will not allow any real money going to poor people unless 8x as much goes to tax cuts for high wealth and businesses. Its a cliche because it happens like clockwork every year. They starved obamas stimulus and they starved the covid one. Small ( large gop connected) businesses got lots and will never have to pay it back.