Quote (Slowtoanger @ 28 Feb 2021 13:12)

I'm seeing that it's 9-10% in covid-relief and stimulus related spending (I think it was foxnews), I guess that's not correct then?

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats backed down from an effort to use President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour without Republican support, but that has not ended hopes of addressing the issue in Congress.

Democrats and some Republicans have voiced support for the idea of raising the minimum wage, now $7.25, for the first time since 2009, though they disagree on how much. Republican Senator Mitt Romney and Tom Cotton last week proposed an increase to $10 per hour, but said employers should also verify the wage is going to workers who are legally in the United States.

But two Senate Democrats acknowledged that passing an increase would be challenging in the 50-50 chamber.

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Republicans in Congress say the plan is too expensive and includes things like transportation projects that have nothing to do with relief for COVID-19.

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Also on the chopping block: $1.5 million for a bridge connecting Canada and New York state, which Republicans have derided as an example of special-interest spending they say has no place in the bill. Aides to Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who represents New York, say funding was requested by the administration of Republican former President Donald Trump.
STICKING POINTS

It is not clear whether Democrats will keep another project that has drawn Republican ire - funding for a subway expansion in California’s Silicon Valley, near the home of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Democrats have shown no interest in dropping another partisan sticking point - $350 billion in aid for state and local governments, which face rising costs and uncertain tax revenues because of the pandemic.

A Reuters analysis found that Democratic-leaning states would get a larger share of that money this time around than they did under the first $150 billion of state and local aid that Congress approved last year.

Other areas could get whittled back. Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, a key centrist, is pushing to scale back enhanced unemployment benefits to $300 per week from $400. Lawmakers may also opt to discontinue those benefits if unemployment in a given state drops below a certain level, according to a Democratic aide.

Democrats also may tighten income qualifications for $1,400 direct payments, so they are more targeted toward lower-income households, an aide said.

Others hope to carve out room for priorities of their own. Senator Angus King, an independent aligned with Democrats, has been pushing for billions of dollars to expand high-speed internet service in rural areas.

The Senate could vote on the bill by the end of the week. The House would then have to sign off on the changes before Congress could send it on to Biden to sign into law.

Quote (DrFaGgIt @ 3 Mar 2021 12:20)

I didn’t read the article but saw a headline this morning that said Biden agreed to narrow the scope of the stimulus checks even more.

Not like they’re going to help anyone because most people who need them are gonna owe more than that in taxes from their unemployment huehuehue what a scam

Quote (DrFaGgIt @ Mar 3 2021 12:20pm)

I didn’t read the article but saw a headline this morning that said Biden agreed to narrow the scope of the stimulus checks even more.

Not like they’re going to help anyone because most people who need them are gonna owe more than that in taxes from their unemployment huehuehue what a scam

Quote (excellence @ Mar 3 2021 01:33pm)

whats it narrowed to now? registered (D), donor to DNC, and only for pale pasty privileged lefties only

Quote (Ghot @ 3 Mar 2021 13:38)

Jobless aid, direct checks could get trimmed as U.S. Senate takes up COVID-19 aid bill

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-congress/jobless-aid-direct-checks-could-get-trimmed-as-u-s-senate-takes-up-covid-19-aid-bill-idUSKBN2AV15L






Some of these items "tacked on" to this covid relief bill are truly astounding. :/

While in themselves, these items are probably good ideas, having them tacked on to a covid bill, is just ludicrous.

Quote (Black XistenZ @ Mar 3 2021 02:15pm)

Expanding high-speed internet in rural areas is very good and much needed policy. It shouldnt be included in a covid relief bill, but it could, for example, be part of a big infrastructure bill (which is long overdue anyway).