Donald Trump says he wants bigger second stimulus check
The US president says he wants people to get the money as quick as possible so they can spend it and says he wants the second stimulus checks to be bigger.
Donald Trump said he is in favour of a second stimulus check being sent to millions of Americans and wants this one to be even bigger than before. Speaking to Fox Business, the president said he wants to get people more money so they can spend it and he wants to get it to them in a “non-complicated fashion.”
The Democrats and Republicans remain in a stand-off over what a second stimulus package would look like with the Democrats favouring a more direct approach to helping Americans. That would include a second stimulus check. “I actually support larger numbers than the Democrats,” he said, “but it’s got to be done properly.”
Republicans have been pushing for a coronavirus relief package that focuses on helping business and fighting the unemployment figures. That might include some form of a tax break with the Explore America tax credit being mentioned as a possibility. They have also mentioned the possibility of a back-to-work bonus, which is something Trump also mentioned on Wednesday.
“We had something...where it gave you a disincentive to work last time,” he said. “We want to create a very great incentive to work.”
Trump had previously hinted at a second check and said that the stimulus package would be generous and very good for Americans but he has now explicitly stated that he is pushing for larger stimulus checks.
Trump wants second stimulus checks to be bigger
“I want the money getting to people to be larger so they can spend it,” Trump said after he was asked whether he wanted larger stimulus checks or larger federal unemployment benefits. “I want the money to get there quickly and in a non-complicated fashion.”
If Trump is talking about checks, that would mean Americans are going to get more than the $1,200 that was sent out in the first check.
Republicans have been talking down the potential of a second stimulus check. For example, Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell, said that the HEROES Act — the bill that contains the second stimulus check proposed by the Democrats — will be DOA once it gets to the senate. It has already been passed by House Democrats and needs to get the seal of approval from Republicans. There are a couple of dates to keep in mind regarding the possibility of a deal being struck for a second stimulus check also with the Senate set to go on recess at the start of August. That is when a deal could be struck.
Trump’s comments could increase pressure on Republicans to get a deal done. The president is running against Joe Biden in the November elections and could do with some good news for Americans. He has been criticised heavily for his Twitter use during the coronavirus pandemic without actually doing anything about the rising number of cases and deaths in the country. He has also been pushing back against the Black Lives Matter movement too and infamously forced peaceful protesters out of the way at a church in Washington in order to get a photo outside with a bible.
With the coronavirus worsening, the elections drawing closer and the economy in serious trouble, it seems lots of politicians know it is time to act.