WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Now that he’s assumed office, President Joe Biden is expected to get his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan passed as quickly as possible. The measure includes a $1,400 stimulus checks for most Americans.
With Democrats in control of both the presidency and Congress, the overall plan has a good chance of passage. However, one Republican congressman is throwing up a roadblock of sorts.
Rep. Steve Stivers, a Republican from Ohio, suggested checks go to people who’ve received the coronavirus vaccine.
“I hope the administration will look at that option because we actually buy something with our $1,400 — and that’s herd immunity,” Stivers said in an interview with Yahoo Finance.
He suggested the quickest way to get the economy going is to get people vaccinated and back to work or school.
“I’d be willing to accept a $1,400 stimulus check if people are willing to take the vaccine,” Stivers added.
While that suggestion is not likely to move forward, Biden’s plan isn’t moving as quickly as some hoped. The checks are part of a complex and layered plan that includes increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour, expanding paid leave for workers and increasing tax credits for families with children.
So far, the Biden White House has declined to provide a timeline for getting its proposed relief package through, saying that officials are beginning to schedule meetings with lawmakers to discuss the proposal.
One lawmaker says he’ll support $1,400 checks — but only for people who make the commitment and get the COVID-19 vaccine.
fox8.com
Who elects jokers like this? I'm a diehard conservative, but when one of my own acts out, I'll call them on it.
First off, how would people be able to prove they got the vaccine? Secondly, what kind of administration costs would be involved? Right now, if they decide to send everybody a stimulus check, it's as simple as hitting a few buttons on their keyboard I'm sure. To go through each American one by one to double check they got the vaccine would take many months if not over a year. Then there's the fact that there isn't enough vaccine to go around to everybody just yet. That too may take a couple of months.
It will never be a requirement, but how stupid do you have to be to even think of something like this?
Another point is people who show allergies to other vaccines may not be recommended to try this one,
yet they could have been out of work due to business closures that the stimulus was meant to address. Stivers should think before he speaks.
well then why not send that $$$ to unemployment , the folks that really need it?
myself, i really don't want a government hand
out , especially one i DIDN"T ask for.....
what my (et all) biz's need is a hand
up......end the lockdown, let us go to work
~S~
I figure sending money to unemployment is something the Biden Admin will do, as well as financial support to states to aide handling the pandemic and the effects of the pandemic.
Hate you are locked down, where you are. Much of the country is not, such as Tennessee. Of course we are currently 14th on total deaths, and 11th on total cases of any state in the country, in a state that ranks 16th in the nation by population. I think our Governor has taken a fairly even handed approach and encouraging local counties to take steps they consider necessary instead of a top down mandate after the initial shutdown. I do not think Biden can effectively mandate what you ask from his position, as the severity changes from county to county and state to state.
I'm in construction W6, they locked us down at first, and have been slowly relaxing it all , i guess i'm
'essential' , our hospitality contingent is, however, having agonal respirations into '21. It's not good, and i personally know a lot of 'em in my small pond , either that of servicing their electrical needs, or waste removal (
i'm a pig farmer , fluent in porcine... ) The local communities.....well yes they've stepped up with what they can, the Feds? i just don't know , throwing $$$ at every problem sounds like a remedy ......i just wish their aim was a tad more precise....~S~