Last Monday, three House Democrats submitted legislation to give Americans stimulus checks until 2022 — or, at the very least, as long as prices stay high.
The stimulus check initiative was announced by Reps. Mike Thompson of California, Lauren Underwood of Illinois, and John Larson of Connecticut. While the national gas price average is $4 a gallon or more, it would reward individuals with $100 monthly checks and couples with $200 monthly payments. Households would also be eligible for an additional $100 for each dependant claimed on their tax returns.
Democrats Have Been Pushing For Stimulus Checks
Individual tax filers making less than $75,000 and couples making less than $150,000 would be eligible for the money, which is identical to the income criteria for the third and final stimulus check released last year. Individuals earning more than $80,000 and married couples earning more than $160,000 would be ineligible.
It comes as Democrats struggle to address rising gas costs in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. According to AAA, the average price per gallon in the United States is $4.25, down $0.08 from a week ago. Lower crude oil prices, according to the organization, are part of the reason for the drop.
The plan’s chances of becoming law are slim. Republicans have been hammering Democrats for the rise in gas prices, and they are hesitant of granting unconditional help. Other Democrats hinted that they would support a version of the gas rebate but did not commit to it. Rep. Ro Khanna of California and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island has filed a bill that would reward Americans with weekly payments funded by a tax on successful oil firms.
Suspending the federal gas tax for the remainder of the year is one of the other Democratic proposals on the table. It’s a strategy embraced by two Senate Democrats from Arizona and New Hampshire who are up for reelection. Republicans have slammed the plan as a gimmick, and not all Democrats are on board.
