Regardless of how many petitions are signed, the prospects of a fourth stimulus check appear to be small. First and foremost, there is a lack of political will. While progressive Reps. Ilhan Omar and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez were outspoken in their support for regular Universal Basic Income-style payments early last year, “The Squad” and other ultra-progressive Democrats have been silent on the topic for several months.
Stimulus Checks Will Be Provided By State Governments
President Joe Biden has also given no hint that a fourth stimulus check is on the way, and given his difficulties in getting his Build Back Better legislation passed, it’s unlikely that he will.
While Democrats have pledged to bring the $1.75 trillion Build Back Better bill back to life, any updated version would have to have drastically reduced spending estimates to placate Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, who killed the package in December due to fears about increasing inflation.
Aside from the political will, the changing nature of the COVID-19 epidemic also implies that stimulus payments would be a needless evil now that most Americans can safely return to work.
Dr. Anthony Fauci predicted in January that the Omicron variant spike would peak in February, causing the COVID pandemic to enter the endemic phase.
A fourth stimulus package is exceedingly improbable unless a new variation ravages the United States, causing enormous layoffs and a new round of lockdowns.
Many states have already given out their fourth stimulus payments, while others are planning to introduce new laws to assist Americans in January. Each state is currently making arrangements for potential financial help in 2022.
States like Indiana, California, Maine, Georgia, Maryland, Tennessee, Michigan, and Florida will give out stimulus checks.
Also, due to funding surpluses, the state governments of Minnesota and California will mail out their stimulus checks soon.
