THE NEXT "RELIEF" BILL

Al Dilorenzo
Jul 25, 2021
2 min read

IN ORDER TO VOTE, WE NEED TO KNOW THE ISSUES. SOMETIMES THE ISSUES ARE A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH. WITH 170,000 DEAD FROM COVID 19 AND THE ECONOMY REELING, THREE PROPOSALS HAVE EMERGED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. MEANWHILE PEOPLE ARE RUNNING OUT OF MONEY, UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS ARE SURGING, AND EVICTIONS ARE BEGINNING TO MOUNT.

Question! These proposals, like the Bush-Obama bailout in ’08 cost trillions of dollars. For years it was claimed that such expenditures would cause runaway inflation and bankrupt the federal government. That does not seem to be the case. SO, does this mean that the funds we have needed to address climate change, poverty, education and health care ARE available after all?

THE PROPOSALS

Democrats’ House Proposal, Republican’s Senate Proposal, and President’s Executive Orders

SUPPLEMENTAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

The Democrats propose a continuation of the $600 per week payment
The Republicans propose a $200 payment
Trump's executive order proposes $400 - cash strapped states must shoulder 25% of that cost

AID FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

The Democrats propose $985 billion which can be used flexibly
Republicans provided no general relief for states
Trump's executive orders offer nothing on this item

AID FOR SCHOOLS

The Democrats propose $100 billion for schools
The Republicans propose $105 billion but reserve 2/3 for schools that physically reopen in fall
Trump's executive orders offer nothing on this item

SAFETY AT WORK

The democrats' proposal orders OSHA to establish Covid 19 safety standards for the workplace
The Republicans protect employers by limiting workers' right to sue them for negligence
Trump's executive orders offer nothing on this item

CASH RELIEF PAYMENTS

The Democrats offer the $1200 payment again. Thye include dependents at $500. Students and non-documented immigrants who pay taxes would be included
Republicans offer the same, but exclude immigrants
Trump's proposal offers a payroll tax deferment which would increase paychecks. Deferred taxes would have to be repaid in the next tax cycle. Importantly, taxes are the way we fund social security, so this is a direct attack on that program.

FEEDINGTHE POOR AND DISADVANTAGED

The Democrats offer $10 billion in SNAP payments and a 15% raise in the cap per family
the Republicans offer aid to farmers
Trump's executive orders are silent on this subject

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

The Democrats' bill has funds for highways, elections, pension bailouts, USPS
The Republicans' bill has additional funds for the military and a new building for the FBI

COST