The Republicans unveiled their counterproposal to President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan. The scaled-down bill reduces the size of the stimulus check from $1,400 to $1,000 and will only send the money to individuals making less than $50,000 a year and couples who bring in less than $100,000 per year. The proposal could mean that around 29 million Americans would not be eligible for the stimulus checks.
People earning $40,000 or less per year would receive the full check, while those who earn between $40,000 and $50,000 would see the amount of the check reduced based on how much money they make. The proposed plan also includes an additional $500 for every child claimed as a dependant.
According to CNN, 78% of families would be eligible for the checks compared to 95% under the Democrat's plan.
The proposal would reduce the total amount of money the government would spend to provide direct stimulus from $465 billion to $220 billion.
The GOP plan also includes $300 a week in supplemental unemployment benefits, which will last through June, $50 billion for small businesses, and $160 billion for vaccine distribution efforts and coronavirus testing.
Biden invited Maine Senator Susan Collins and nine other Republicans to the White House to discuss their proposal. She said that their talks were productive, but they haven't reached a deal yet.
"All of us are concerned about struggling families, teetering small businesses, an overwhelmed health care system, getting vaccines out and into people's arms, and strengthening our economy and addressing the public health crisis that we face," Collins said after the meeting.
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