So here is a rundown of the Senate Stimulus Bill that the House will need to approve Friday.
1. Direct payments to individuals
Under the plan as it was being negotiated, single Americans would receive $1,200, married couples would get $2,400 and parents would see $500 for each child under age 17.
However, the payments would start to phase out for individuals with adjusted gross incomes of more than $75,000 and couples at $150,000, and those making more than $99,000 or $200,000 for couples would not qualify at all.
-I feel this is the best benefit and I think more of the stimulus should have went to this.
2. Student loan payments suspended
The Department of Education would suspend payments on student loan borrowers without penalty through September 30, according to the bill.
-I have no issue with this since the government is the one that backs student loans. Democrats wanted to just payoff loans which was insane and political.
3. REAL ID deadline delayed
The deadline to obtain a REAL ID, federally mandated identification that will be needed for passengers to board aircraft, will be extended until at least September 2021.
-I'm not sure if this was that important for this bill, but again I don't have a big problem with it.
4. Historic boost for unemployment benefits
In an unprecedented expansion of unemployment insurance, the federal government would give jobless workers an extra $600 a week for four months on top of their state benefits, which range from $200 to $550 a week, on average, depending on the state.
In addition, lawmakers want to add up to 13 weeks of extended benefits, which would be fully covered by the federal government. Currently, state unemployment checks last up to between 12 weeks and 28 weeks, depending on the state.
-I'm not a big fan of this as it will actally pay some people more than they actually make. I don't like the idea of the government paying people more to not work than to work. Places like Amazon, Walmart, and others need to hire people, but why would anyone take a job if unemployment is going to pay the as much or more than their job. I'd would have rather have seen more in the direct payments to people or more money to businesses to keep employees on payroll with benefits and keep companies from going under. Democrats really want to make people reliant on government.
5. $500 billion lending program
The Treasury Department can provide $500 billion in loans, loan guarantees and investments.
That specifically includes $25 billion for passenger air carriers, $4 billion for cargo air carriers and $17 billion for businesses that work in national security. The rest of the funds, $454 billion, are given wide latitude to provide loans to businesses, states and municipalities.
The measure includes restrictions on businesses who receive the loans. Those businesses may not issue dividends for up to a year after the loan is no longer outstanding, and must retain 90% of employment levels as of March 24, "to the extent practicable," through September 30. The loans also cannot last longer than five years.
There's a specific provision in the program for direct loans to mid-sized businesses, defined as between 500 and 10,000 employees, as well as non-profit organizations, where no payments will be due for the first six months after the loan is issued. And they can't get involved with union negotiations.
-I would like to have seen more money go to these businesses with free money to businesses with less than 500 employees to keep then alive and well. And I think Democrats added too much regulation and gave too much power to unions.
6. Trump businesses can't get money
The legislation prohibits federally elected officials and their immediate relatives from obtaining funds from the $500 billion program.
-I think this was nothing more than an anti-Trump provision put in by Democrats.
7. Money for the National Guard
The Defense Department will get $1.2 billion for the National Guard's coronavirus response. Over 10,000 National Guard members to date have been activated.
An additional $1 billion is available for Defense Purchases Act purchases.
-I support us suppoting our last line of defense here at home and the great work of the guard.
8. Airlines and airports
The package includes $32 billion in grants for wages and benefits to the decimated airline industry.
Companies that receive the assistance are barred from making furloughs, pay cuts, or stock buybacks, and from issuing dividends to investors, through September. It also institutes limits on executive compensation.
-I ageee as part of our national security we must protect the airline industry.
9. Hospitals get billions
The stimulus package would provide about $117 billion for hospitals, according to an estimate from the American Hospital Association, which called it an important first step.
The bill creates a $100 billion public health and social emergency fund to reimburse providers for expenses and lost revenues related to the coronavirus pandemic. About $65 billion will go to hospitals, with the rest funneled to doctors, nurses, suppliers and others, the association said.
-I agree we need to help our hospitals to make sure they can help people with the virus without bankrupting hospitals.
10. Contractors and 'gig' workers
Independent contractors and so-called gig workers will be eligible to receive federal aid. The language could provide additional certainty to millions of part-time workers who drive for Uber or deliver for Amazon, in what has become a major part of the digital economy.
-I think this is also good as this is a big growing economy and needs to be protected.
11. Protections against foreclosures and evictions
The bill includes housing protections against foreclosures on mortgages and evictions for renters.
The bill states that anyone facing a financial hardship from coronavirus shall be given a forbearance on a federally backed mortgage loan of up to 60 days, which can be extended for four periods of 30 days each.
Those with federally backed mortgage loans who have tenants would also not be allowed to evict tenants solely for failure to pay rent for a 120-day period, and they may not charge fees or penalties to tenants for failing to pay rent.
-I'm not sure about this one. I think I would have liked giving people a way to defer payments. I fear people taking advantage of landlords or their mortgage. But I'm just not knowledgeable enough to know.
12. $25 million for the Kennedy Center
The bill contains $25 million to support the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC.
Stimulus bill includes $100M arts. The stimulus package also includes $75 million for the National Endowment for the Arts.
-I hate this so much. It is nothing more than pork. This is a Democrat item and a Nancy Pelosi pork project.
13. More funding for food assistance
The bill provides $450 million for The Emergency Food Assistance Program, which supplies food banks, which are expected to see more clients as job losses mount. Some $350 million would buy additional food, and $100 million would be used for distribution.
-I'm okay with supporting our food banks.
14. Evacuations of Americans
The bill includes $324 million for the State Department, as well as money specifically for "evacuation expenses," of Americans around the world.
-I am okay helping Americans come home.
15. Peace Corps, diplomatic programs and refugees
The bill includes $88 million for the Peace Corps, an independent US government agency that sends American volunteers abroad. The organization suspended all operations last week and evacuated its volunteers. Its director said operations will return to normal "when conditions permit."
In addition, the measure provides an additional $324 million for diplomatic programs, $258 million for international disaster assistance, $350 million for migration and refugee assistance and $95 million for USAID operating expenses.
-I don't think this should be part of a stimulus bill. Seems to me it should be done on a separate bill possibly with the Evacuation of Americans.
16. $25 million to House members to work from home
-I just can't.
---So this is what I know and what I think. It is much better that what Nancy Pelosi tried to put through, but until the House votes it could change.
