Graham Says It Could Take Six to Eight Weeks for Americans to Get Unemployment Checks

The government’s possible timeline for sending unemployment checks to Americans as part of the stimulus bill is “unacceptable,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) says.

Graham claimed during Tuesday’s “Fox & Friends” interview that he wants to focus on helping those who do not have jobs.

“These direct payments go to people with income. I want to focus on people without income,” Graham said, adding, “The unemployment insurance system in this country is broken. I’m going to spend a lot of time trying to fix it.”

Watch his comments below:

Additionally, Graham acknowledged it may take six to eight weeks to get those checks out to Americans, which is something he does not agree with.

“That’s unacceptable and in unemployment, under this bill, you’re actually increasing people’s wages which will deter growing the economy,” Graham said, adding, “We got to fix both of those things.”

When discussing a potential fourth phase of a coronavirus relief package, Graham explained that he wants to see the success of the third phase before moving forward.

“If anybody puts a damn dime in phase four unrelated to the virus, they’re going to be very famous because people are dying in this country,” Graham said, “It is not now the time to do the Green New Deal.”

Graham discussed the origin of the virus as he claimed it came from Chinese wet markets. He called on the Chinese ambassador to shut them down.

“That needs to stop. What can China do to help the world? Shut those markets down,” Graham said.

The exchange came to a close as Graham commented on Trump’s decision to extend social distancing guidelines to April 30.

“The president’s decision to extend social distancing through April 30 was based on sound science,” Graham said.

A $2.2 trillion measure was signed into law by President Donald Trump recently and includes direct payments to millions of families of up to $3,000, as IJR previously reported.