Stimulus update: Petition for fourth stimulus payment nears 3 million signatures

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A petition that calls for a monthly $2,000 stimulus payment to every American is nearing 3 million online signatures.

The petition was posted on Change.org by Denver restaurant owner Stephanie Bonin and called on Congress to craft legislation that would provide families with “$2,000 payment for adults and a $1,000 payment for kids immediately, and continuing regular checks for the duration of the (COVID-19) crisis.”

As of early Monday the petition had drawn more than 2,772,340 signatures.

While at least 14 Democratic senators and more than 50 Democratic members of the House have spoken out in support of either a fourth stimulus payment or recurring payments, Republicans have not expressed a desire to see more checks sent out, making it unlikely another round of stimulus checks will be going out.

Many in the GOP point to a rebounding economy and a fear of fueling inflation as a reason for their opposition to more federal funds being sent out in the form of stimulus checks.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, slammed Democrats last week for “trillions in runaway spending” and “painful inflation.”

House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-California, suggested President Joe Biden “wake up” when it comes to inflation.

The 14 Democratic senators voicing support for another payment sent Biden a letter in March saying, “These payments help keep families out of poverty, but they also act as economic stimulus by increasing spending and supporting jobs,” they wrote. “Now is the time for boldness.”

“This crisis is far from over, and families deserve certainty that they can put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads,” reads a portion of the letter. “Families should not be at the mercy of constantly-shifting legislative timelines and ad hoc solutions.”

The Senate Democrats who signed the letter calling for more payments include: Michael Bennet of Colorado; Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut; Cory Booker of New Jersey; Tammy Duckworth of Illinois; Dick Durbin of Illinois; Kirsten Gillibrand of New York; Mazie Hirono of Hawaii; Ed Markey of Massachusetts; Jeff Merkley of Oregon; Alex Padilla of California; Bernie Sanders of Vermont; Debbie Stabenow of Michigan; Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden of Oregon.

Fifty-three House Democrats sent a similar letter to Biden in January calling for recurring stimulus payments.

In July 2020, the Economic Security Project and the Justice Collaborative, sent a letter calling on then President Donald Trump and Congress to provide “regular, lasting direct stimulus payments” to American families.

The letter was signed by more than 150 economists.

The last stimulus check came out of the American Rescue Plan Act and since March has seen 171 million people receive up to $1,400 each.

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