White House Says Next Stimulus Checks Depends on the Congress, Says It’s Costly for Federal Government

As requests for additional stimulus checks this year increase, the White House mentioned on Tuesday that it will be up to Congress if more payments will go out this time.

The federal government emphasized that the measure will be costly for the administration as it previously gave out a number of payments in the past.

According to Business Insider, the White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki shared that they will see what members of Congress propose. But the press secretary and Biden's political advisor emphasized that those are not free.

Moreover, Psaki touted that the revamped child tax credit is a provision that the stimulus of Biden bulked up to $3,600 per child aged five and under or $3,000 per kid between six and 17. The latest $1.8 trillion economic proposals of Biden sets that up as a child allowance that lasts through 2025.

In addition, Psaki stated that if the direct payment request passed, the families of tens of millions of children will continue to get regular payments. She also added that they are continuing to evaluate what their needs are in getting the pandemic under control. She added that the administration wants people to go back to work, but they think "that's a proposal with a long-term benefit."

Meanwhile, the stimulus law included $1,400 direct payments in March for individuals earning $75,000 and below and couples who are earning under $150,000. The stimulus checks will no longer be available once an individual reached $80,000 income and for married couples $160,000.

Also, the program carried a $422 billion price tag, which is just over a fifth of the overall rescue package. Last year, two waves of stimulus checks were issued as well; $1,200 and $600, CNET reported.

Large Wave of Stimulus Checks Unlikely

Furthermore, Congress is unlikely to back a large wave of stimulus checks anytime soon, given that the economy is displaying signs of improvement. The said measure also enjoys strong public support.

On the other hand, Centrist Democrats sought to cut eligibility on the third federal payment earlier this year to keep it from benefiting wealthier people who had kept their jobs. Biden also agreed that the Republicans are unlikely to support a fourth payment, which cited a hefty price tag and renewed concern around the national debt.

Some Democrats also have called for recurring stimulus checks until the pandemic is over. Two months ago, a group of ten Senate Democrats, including senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, backed ongoing payments tied to the economic conditions.

Even experts also noted that the checks were efficient at reaching Americans who were unable to access unemployment benefits. The Economic Security Project, an organization that advocates for cash benefits, stated that the fourth and fifth direct payments would keep 12 million Americans out of poverty.

The amount of money Congress has sent each eligible American in stimulus payments reached $3,200 since the pandemic started. The last round of $1,400 checks cost Congress around $400 billion, Forbes reported.

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WATCH: Jen Psaki Says Stimulus Payments "Are Not Free" When Asked About Possible Additional Round - Forbes Breaking News