CNBC is reporting that Americans are growing angry with Democrats over a proposal to shift income thresholds that might disqualify millions from a new round of $1,400 stimulus checks.
The network states that “dozens of people” reached out to them to express frustration that Congress is considering lowering the income eligibility threshold for the third round of stimulus payments.
“Many … say Democrats would be reneging on their campaign promise to provide $2,000 in direct relief payments to struggling Americans if they send them to fewer people,” they write.
Last week news surfaced that some Democrats and President Biden were open to allowing fewer people to qualify for the stimulus payments.
The reports indicate $1,400 checks would go out to individuals making $50,000 annually as opposed to $75,000, while $2,800 checks would be issued to married couples making less than $100,000 instead of $150,000.
Vox writes that should Democrats choose to lower the threshold, “roughly 40 million Americans who received the previous two checks will not receive one this time.”
Americans angry they may no longer qualify for $1,400 stimulus checks, say it feels like a ‘targeted attack’ on middle class (via @CNBCMakeIt) https://t.co/h7VYASPyBL
— CNBC (@CNBC) February 8, 2021
Americans Angry Over Stimulus Check Income Requirements
Brian Jensvold, an IT specialist in Oregon featured in CNBC’s report, notes that the shifting income requirements for the upcoming round of stimulus checks are non-sensical, especially when using 2019 returns to determine eligibility.
Income dropped dramatically during 2020 for many Americans as businesses were shuttered, jobs were lost, and take-home pay was diminished.
“It almost feels like a targeted attack to those of us in the middle,” Jensvold said.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says details on the cutoff for targeted direct stimulus payments “are to be determined, but struggling middle class families need help, too.”
“The President is certainly willing to work with Congress to find a good structure for these payments” pic.twitter.com/nOWEIHnORj
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) February 7, 2021
Far-left politicians have expressed outrage at the suggestion by Biden that he is willing to consider lowering the requirements for the next round of stimulus checks.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders tweeted his disgust, noting many Americans that received relief from former President Trump would not do so under President Biden.
“Unbelievable,” Sanders wrote. “There are some Dems who want to lower the income eligibility for direct payments from $75,000 to $50,000 for individuals, and $150,000 to $100,000 for couples.”
He added, “In other words, working-class people who got checks from Trump would not get them from Biden. Brilliant!”
It would be outrageous if we ran on giving more relief and ended up doing the opposite.
It’s sad that this is even an argument in the Dem party. COVID relief is disaster relief, & it’s urgent.
Our first act out of the gate should be big, bold, and strong. Not weaker & smaller. https://t.co/N8aTKVZeAt
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 7, 2021
Democrats Lied, Your Stimulus Died
Adding to the disdain struggling Middle-Class Americans are feeling toward Biden and the Democrats, is that the $1,400 stimulus checks themselves are a broken campaign promise just weeks into the new term.
“Critics of President Joe Biden are claiming he ‘lied’ about the size and promptness of stimulus checks promised while campaigning in the Georgia runoffs,” Newsweek explains.
$2000 is not $1400. So @JoeBiden is either a liar or really bad at math. I am going with LIAR. #BidenLied https://t.co/DNKHHWrcIC
— Ryan Knight ? (@ProudSocialist) January 30, 2021
Aside from lowering the amount of the checks and possibly lowering the income requirements, President Biden seems to have been less than truthful about the speed with which he would send relief to the American people.
[totalpoll id=”223628″]
Biden told voters just prior to the Georgia runoffs that should Democrats win control of the Senate, $2,000 stimulus checks would be sent out “immediately.”
It’s important to note that the income threshold aspect has not become official as of yet.
The House and Senate committees must first draft and vote on legislation, presumably later this week.
Americans may not see any checks for several weeks.
