Free Republic

McConnell indicated job status would not be a factor, and that the money would go to unemployed workers and those recently laid off; those still working; and retirees, even if they're already receiving Social Security checks. While officials have indicated the ultra-rich would not be eligible, McConnell said Thursday the checks would still go to everybody "from the middle class on down. Period." How the middle class is defined can be a contentious subject when stimulus checks are on the line. One source told Fox Business Network that the amount would start to reduce for those making $75,000 and above...

WASHINGTON — Republicans are divided on President Trump’s push to send large checks to all Americans as soon as April 6 to keep the coronavirus from crushing the economy — putting the universal payday in doubt. “I think it makes sense later, not now,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) told reporters after a meeting of Senate Republicans on Wednesday afternoon. GOP leaders have three groups of senators crafting a $1 trillion stimulus package that could pass as early as this weekend. But with Republicans holding just 53 seats, even a small number of defections could block the idea of direct checks.

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump is asking Congress to unleash a torrent of emergency economic aid - including direct checks to Americans - an effort unseen since the Great Recession to shore up households and the economy amid the coronavirus crisis. Trump wants checks out to the public within two weeks as part of what officials said could approach a $1 trillion package. Congressional leaders vowed swift action. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin appeared on Capitol Hill to brief Senate Republicans as state and local officials acted more forcefully to restrict gatherings and mobility in the face of growing sickness. “We...

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's coronavirus bill is not enough. It is not nearly enough. And if there is any hope of keeping the U.S. economy from free fall, its deficiencies must be addressed this week. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s coronavirus bill is not enough. It is not nearly enough. And if there is any hope of keeping the U.S. economy from free fall, its deficiencies must be addressed this week with a combination of immediate and direct aid to the businesses that feed our families, host our celebrations, employ our neighbors, sponsor our Little Leagues, and make our towns our...

CNBC apparently had no problem treating Sen. Mitt Romney’s (R-UT) coronavirus plan to give “every” American $1,000 as a rational idea. CNBC came right off the bat to make the senator look like some sort of philanthropist: “GOP Sen. Mitt Romney proposed on Monday sending every American adult $1,000 to ease the financial pain of the coronavirus pandemic that has tanked global markets and threatened to grind U.S. economic activity to a halt.” Did the outlet consider the irony that such a policy could require massive spending and tax increases that would further “grind U.S. economic activity to a halt”?

Key Points Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday that the Trump administration wants to get emergency funds in Americans’ pockets “immediately” amid the coronavirus crisis. The latest daily briefing came as stocks struggled to recover from one of the worst trading sessions ever. Markets have shed trillions of dollars amid the coronavirus spread, which has crippled major industries and forced governments around the world to take drastic steps to try to slow the spread of the disease. ==================================================================== Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday that the Trump administration wants to get emergency funds in Americans’ pockets “immediately” amid the coronavirus...

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday the Trump administration is working with Congress on a plan that would send checks to Americans in an effort to blunt the coronavirus pandemic’s effect on the economy. “We are looking at sending checks to Americans immediately,” Mnuchin told reporters. “Americans need cash now and the president wants to get cash now. And I mean now, in the next two weeks. “We want to make sure Americans get money in their pockets quickly,” Mnuchin said at a White House briefing on the virus. “We want to make sure small business owners have access to...