The president is demanding that lawmakers approve $2,000 checks to go out to the vast majority of American households instead of the $600 checks Congress approved in the relief bill. JPMorgan Chase had estimated that the sheer size of the stimulus bill would be enough to prevent the economy from contracting in the first three months of 2021. The aid bill passed by Congress should help to blunt losses as we move into January. That law sent $1,200 stimulus checks to millions of Americans, provided new unemployment benefits and directed billions of dollars to airlines and small businesses. Some critics of Trump’s approach believe the aid should be targeted toward the unemployed and small businesses that need it most.

Source: Washington Post December 23, 2020 13:35 UTC