XPost: alt.gossip.celebrities, alt.politics.democrats.d, sac.general   
   XPost: alt.rush-limbaugh   
   From: asshole.progressives@nytimes.com   
      
   News that a second round of stimulus checks might be included in   
   a new coronavirus aid bill has been met with a mixture of relief   
   and derision by many cash-strapped Americans who have been   
   without work throughout the pandemic.   
      
   Though checks were not part of the original draft of the   
   bipartisan relief bill unveiled Monday, lawmakers including Sen.   
   Bernie Sander (I-VT) and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) pushed   
   colleagues to include them. The checks will reportedly be worth   
   between $600 and $700 for each taxpayer and their dependents,   
   though Hawley unsuccessfully forced a vote on $1,200 checks on   
   Friday.   
      
   The first round of checks, which were distributed earlier this   
   year, were worth $1,200 for individuals earning under $75,000 a   
   year, and $500 for dependents under the age of 17.   
      
   Laney Oden, 32, says the $600 check is better than nothing. Oden   
   lost her job of 11 years at a restaurant in California when   
   coronavirus hit in March. She says her long-term unemployment   
   benefits are about to expire, and any bit of aid would help her   
   pay her bills.   
      
   The $600 would do great for now, but some will have to spend   
   that already before it even hits their bank account. I think a   
   little more would be appropriate, but we will take anything at   
   this rate   
   Laney Oden   
   “The $600 would do great for now, but some will have to spend   
   that already before it even hits their bank account,” says Oden.   
   “I think a little more would be appropriate, but we will take   
   anything at this rate.”   
      
   Others, though, expressed frustration that the checks are worth   
   essentially half of their previous amount.   
      
   Emily May, 27, lost her job at a restaurant in New York City in   
   March. She’s relied on unemployment checks to keep her head   
   above water on her bills, including approximately $600 per month   
   in private student loan payments.   
      
   While the first round of stimulus checks were sent to eligible   
   taxpayers regardless of whether they had lost their jobs, May   
   says this time around, larger checks should be sent to those who   
   need the money, including the unemployed and small business   
   owners.   
      
   I don’t think it’s right to send $600 payments to everyone   
   including the employed, when those who are unemployed are   
   suffering immensely.   
   Emily May   
   “This is a traumatic time for many families,” says May. “I don’t   
   think it’s right to send $600 payments to everyone including the   
   employed, when those who are unemployed are suffering immensely.   
   At the very least, $1,200 is a great way to aid those who are   
   actually hurting.”   
      
   The bill lawmakers are negotiating also extends unemployment   
   insurance (UI) for gig workers and the long-term unemployed, who   
   were set to lose their UI the day after Christmas. It also   
   provides for an extra $300 per week in unemployment benefits   
   through April 19, 2021.   
      
   Still, after nearly nine months of economic stagnation, millions   
   of Americans are months behind on their housing payments and   
   other bills. Many “wiped out their savings” or “took massive pay   
   cuts and won’t be eligible for any sort of reimbursement for   
   lost wages,” says Joe C., 24, who asked that his last name not   
   be used to protect his privacy. A larger check would help make   
   up some of the deficit many households are facing, says the   
   Tennessee resident.   
      
   “I am also worried about people close to me, many of whom are   
   only able to get part-time work and one car problem or sick day   
   could be devastating,” he says.   
      
   Faith Crockett, 27, calls the $600 checks “a disgrace.” She says   
   regardless of political party, supporting their fellow Americans   
   should be every politician’s priority, particularly during a   
   pandemic when many people have lost income through no fault of   
   their own.   
      
   Above all else it shows us in our darkest moments, our political   
   leaders show no compassion and give us little hope.   
   Faith Crockett   
   “Above all else, it shows us in our darkest moments, our   
   political leaders show no compassion and give us little hope,”   
   she says.   
      
   LeeAnn Luciano-Lecara, 52, agrees. She’s been looking for a job   
   she can do from home since March, when she quit the job she held   
   at a grocery store for nine years because she is   
   immunocompromised.   
      
   Though the Connecticut resident was “grateful” for the first   
   stimulus check, which helped her pay for her electric bill and   
   groceries, she wishes that Democrats and Republicans could work   
   together to get more aid to Americans. She finds arguments   
   against providing more aid because of the increasing federal   
      
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