(WWJ) A Congresswoman from Michigan has a plan to get more money to Americans dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Democrat Rep. Rashida Tlaib introduced a bill to continue stimulus payments — on monthly basis.
"Our country needs to step up and again have what we would call monthly payments," Tlaib told constituents during a tele town hall. "And I am pushing for $2,000 a-month payments on debit cards to get to every resident across the districts; for it to be aggressive and very inclusive.:
After pandemic, $1,000 recurring monthly payments would be sent for one year.
Tlaib (MI-13) and Pramila Jayapal (WA-7) unveiled legislation they're calling the Automatic BOOST to Communities (ABC) Act, which would be funded directly from the Treasury with no additional debt issued by minting two $1 trillion coins, and additional coins as necessary, the pair said.
Tlaib said the ABC Act would also uplift "unbanked and underbanked" communities by creating a buffer for people who have seen their costs of living rise for decades as their wages have stagnated.
Unlike a payroll tax cut, which wouldn't help people who lost their jobs, Tlaib said the ABC Act would put "real money" in the pockets of people across the country.
“Real people, not corporations need to be at the center of any legislative relief effort to combat the harms caused by this global pandemic. Too many of our workers, low-income people and families across the country were instantly impacted and we need to have an aggressive and inclusive financial assistance program,” said Tlaib. “This means we need to help our neighbors pay their bills, purchase groceries, and other quality of life needs. The ABC Act is designed to help cushion these blows during and after this global health crisis while chipping away at economic inequality in our society during the pandemic.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated working people and small businesses for more than two months and will continue to do so for several more. A one-time relief check simply isn’t enough to get people through this crisis,” added Jayapal. “The ABC Act provides immediate relief to those in need – regardless of their immigration status – and ensures that relief lasts the duration of the pandemic. We’re in an unprecedented public health and economic crisis and the American people desperately need Congress to take this bold action.”
According to polling released by Data for Progress and the Justice Collaborative Institute, there is strong bipartisan support among people in the country for such recurring payments.
When speaking about inclusivity, Tlaib said "everyone" in the country would receive the payments. Under the plan, this would include dependents, so a couple with two children would receive four $2,000 payments, so $8,000 in total.
Non-citizens, including undocumented people, permanent residents, and temporary visitors whose stay exceeds three months would receive the payments. Also, individuals who do not have a bank account, social security number, or permanent address as well as people living in unincorporated territories or protectorates and Americans living abroad.
This push comes as, just this week, Americans began receiving one-time deposits of $1,200 as approved under the CARES Act passed by Congress.
***Didn't get your stimulus payment yet? See the CARES payment timeline HERE or check THIS LINK for more help.