House Approves Bill To Increase Next Stimulus Checks To $2,000

Lawmakers from the House of Representatives approved a standalone bill that would increase stimulus checks to $2,000, which President Donald Trump has been demanding.

The Monday vote in the House followed Trump's signing of the $2.3 trillion combined federal budget and coronavirus relief bill on Sunday, which includes $600 stimulus checks, $300 federal weekly unemployment benefit, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, and more.

House Approved $2,000 Direct Payments

The Democratic-dominated House of Representatives approved the CASH Act with a vote of 275-134. The CASH Act, which is short for Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help Act, would bump the approved $600 stimulus payments to as much as $2,000 per eligible adult and child.

Even though Democrats have earlier settled to $600 direct payments as a compromise to the Republicans, most lawmakers still want to give a higher amount that Americans need in this time of the pandemic.

According to an NBC News report, the vote divides Republicans who mostly resist more spending, but many of them still joined the President's call to increase the payments to $2,000.

The possibility for a $2,000 check still faces uncertainties as the House-approved bill now moves to the Senate.

Will Senate Approves the $2,000 Direct Payments?

Lawmakers from the Senate will be in session on Tuesday and may vote on the $2,000 direct payments. But it's still unclear if the Republican-led Senate will vote in favor of a larger amount.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Republicans have a choice to "vote for this legislation or vote to deny the American people."

Millions of Americans need financial assistance to survive in the growing hardship that resulted from the pandemic's impact on the economy.

Senate Republican leaders have already indicated that their members are split in either supporting or not the legislation. It can be remembered that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell did not support the $2,000 direct payments.

Since the $2,000 direct payment legislation has already passed the Congress, it is now up to the Senate to approve it. If the majority of the senators will support the legislation, then it is more likely to be signed into law within this week.

Benefits Americans Will Receive Under the New Aid

Millions of Americans will receive different financial benefits under the newly signed $900 billion stimulus package. It includes $600 stimulus checks, $300 unemployment benefits, PPP loans, an extension of eviction protection, and more.

However, not everyone is qualified to get stimulus checks and unemployment benefits. Only Americans earning up to $75,000 will qualify for the direct $600 payments, which are phased out at higher income levels, and an additional $600 payment per dependent child.

The $2.4 trillion government spending bill also includes billions of dollars for vaccine purchases and distribution, virus contact tracing, public health departments, schools, universities, farmers, food pantry programs, and other institutions and groups facing hardship in the pandemic.

The government funding will keep federal agencies nationwide running without dramatic changes until Sept. 30.