Senate Democrats Lower Eligibility Limit for Stimulus Checks

Senate Democrats struck a deal to lower the income eligibility limit for direct COVID-19 stimulus checks to Americans. Under the Senate bill, which could be unveiled this week, the checks would stop at an income threshold of $80,000 for individuals and $160,000 for couples; the House bill's threshold was $100,000 for individuals and $200,000 for couples. The Senate bill is expected to keep the House-passed $400 per week unemployment payments, which would continue through August. The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy estimates the change would cut an estimated 17 million people from eligibility, though 280 million people would still get a check. Moderate Democrats pushed for reduced unemployment; GOP lawmakers argue the bill is too large and full of allocations unrelated to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some moderate Democrats, such as Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Veronica Escobar, criticized Democratic leadership, saying the party's moderate wing isn't interested in passing the left’s agenda items without trying to gather bipartisan support. The deal received coverage from outlets across the political spectrum. Some coverage from the right highlighted moderate Democrats' criticism of Democratic leadership.