Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary, Homeland Security, and the Budget presides over the long-awaited floor debate for the crucial Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help (CASH) Act of 2020, which will increase the amount of money struggling Americans receive in the second round of direct payments to $2,000.
After the President changed his mind last week and decided to support Democrats’ call for increasing direct payments to $2,000, House Democrats immediately went to the Floor to ask for Unanimous Consent to bring a stand-alone bill to increase the payments. But on that day, Christmas Eve, House Republicans blocked the request – rejecting the American people’s right to receive $2000 direct survival payments that the President agreed to support.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee was chosen as a senior member of Congress to preside over the crucial floor debate in the U.S. House of Representatives, which will provide $2,000 direct survival payments to 15 million Americans. “I am honored to once again serve as Speaker Pro Temp, especially for this historic vote that will provide hardworking Americans with long-awaited direct survival payments. Thanks to the outstanding leadership and persistence of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, we can now move our nation forward and finally get a lifeline to so many hurting Americans who are desperate for relief.”
The CASH Act:
- Increases the value of the economic impact payments (EIPs) provided in the end-of-year COVID relief package so that each eligible family member receives $2,000, up from $600.
- Applies the same, broader eligibility established in the end-of-year package to mixed-status families where one spouse has a Social Security Number (SSN). As specified in the latest COVID relief legislation, these families are eligible for the EIP amount for each family member with an SSN and can claim the corresponding amount for the first round of economic impact payments when they file their 2020 taxes.
“The $2000 in payments to individuals will be used to pay bills, rent, utilities, car notes, or purchase needed items like winter coats, and other essentials, which will translate into income for small businesses. All of this spending will generate local, state and federal tax revenue as it fuels consumption and the provision of services that are still available through the economy.
“I have always supported a $2000 plus cash disbursement to support desperate families. House and Senate Democrats have repeatedly called for bigger checks for the American people. House and Senate Republicans have repeatedly rejected – first, during our negotiations when they said that they would not go above $600 and last week, with their act of callousness on the Floor.
“Now, with this vote on the stand-alone CASH Act, Republicans will be on the record. They have a choice: either vote for this bill, or vote to deny families the relief they desperately need.”
The debate will begin on the House Floor at 4:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.
Text of the legislation is available HERE.
