Pelosi Pushes for More Direct Payments, Enhanced Unemployment Benefits

Even with the approval of a $2.2 trillion coronavirus aid package, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) does not believe it is enough.

“Right now I think we have a good model, it was bipartisan, it was signed by the president, but it’s not enough,” Pelosi told CNBC on Friday.

She mentioned the three previous bills passed but reiterated the need for a fourth stimulus package which could be very similar to the one just passed but with added provisions.

Watch her comments below:

She explained she does not believe small businesses are receiving enough and how it is necessary to revisit the last bill.

“Let’s look at that bill, let’s update it with some other things that we need and again put money in the pockets of American people, another direct payment,” Pelosi said. “We had unemployment at six months in our bill, it’s four, let’s take it to six for the unemployment so that people have that confidence.”

Unemployment claims have spiked to 6,648,000 for the weekend ending on March 28, as IJR previously reported. The number doubled from the previous week.

She pointed out the importance of small businesses and how even though they can keep their employees and afford to pay the rent, they still need customers.

She also suggested new provisions that could be added to the fourth bill include clean water and more broadband.

Pelosi emphasized granting more direct payments to Americans.

“And again, money in the pockets of America’s working families,” Pelosi said. “To remove all doubt that they will have at least some resources. We are a consumer society. So let’s have them have the resources to consume.”

The economy has taken a hard hit as a result of the coronavirus crisis but some believe it will bounce back after restrictions are lifted, including Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, as IJR previously reported.