Growing Coalition of Lawmakers Push for Recurring Stimulus Payments to Americans

Even before many Americans have received the latest round of cash doled out by Congress and the Biden administration, some lawmakers are calling for recurring payments until the economy fully recovers from COVID-19.

Sixty-four federal legislators have said they support some form of recurring payments, according to Newsweek.

A letter calling for recurring stimulus checks signed by Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota along with 52 others argues something needs to be done to help non-white Americans in particular.

“Worsening systemic inequities, such as food insecurity and housing instability, are most severe for Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities, who are suffering higher infection and mortality rates of COVID-19 and higher unemployment levels, compared to white Americans,” the letter said.

The letter said that the first round of payments — when the CARES Act dished out $2,000 checks — “was used very quickly, with lower-income individuals spending more than forty percent of their payments within the first ten days. As aid ran out, up to eight million people, disproportionately Black and Latino adults and children, were forced into poverty.”

“The stunning financial crisis for those at the bottom of the income ladder demands massive relief to those who need it most. Recurring direct payments until the economy recovers will help ensure that people can meet their basic needs, provide racially equitable solutions, and shorten the length of the recession,” the letter said.