Schools across the nation have made the difficult decision to send their students home amid the coronavirus pandemic. Still, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is suggesting relief may be coming their way.
During a press appearance on Thursday, Mnuchin hinted at the possibility of including additional funding for schools in the next coronavirus relief package.
A reporter pointed out the concern Americans have with children going back to school and the affects on the economy if they do not.
Mnuchin was asked what the administration is doing in response to this and if there are strategies they are trying to employ to solve the issue.
He confirmed the administration is working with schools and one thing they will consider is increasing funding in the next phase of stimulus relief.
“We’re working with schools and universities. Again, in most cases, schools will be able to open safely. Some schools will need to spend money,” Mnuchin said.
He added, “One of the things we’ll look at in CARES four is if we need to give money to schools to properly equip their areas.”
Check out his comments below:
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says that the next phase of stimulus relief could include providing funding to schools so they can safely re-open: “I think in most cases schools will be able to open safely. some school will need to spend money.” https://t.co/gWJGSZOb7B pic.twitter.com/XBIifxWnvl
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) July 2, 2020
Mnuchin said on June 10 he “definitely” believed another round of coronavirus relief aid would be needed, as IJR previously reported.
He noted he would consider issuing more direct payments to Americans, which would add funds to help business sectors, including hospitality and tourism, reopen.
Mnuchin went on to reiterate the administration is focused on making sure those returning to the classroom are safe.
“We want to make sure that kids are safe and that if there is money that schools need to spend to safely have people in classrooms, social distance, spread things out, change hours, these are all the things we’re looking at,” Mnuchin said.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease and member of the White House coronavirus task force, expressed during his testimony in front of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, he feels “very strongly” about the need to get children back to school, as IJR previously reported.
