WASHINGTON — House Democrats unveiled a new $3 trillion coronavirus relief package Tuesday that, if it passes, would make it the largest stimulus deal in U.S. history.
Sound familiar?
That’s because the $2.2 trillion CARES Act, approved in March, was the previous record holder.
Democrats on Capitol Hill are pushing for more coronavirus relief aid. Nick Grube/Civil Beat
The new 1,815-page bill — dubbed the HEROES Act — would provide another round of $1,200 direct cash payments to individuals and up to $6,000 per household.
Unemployment benefits and food stamps would also receive even more funding as would state, local and tribal governments.
Another $200 billion would go to a fund to give essential workers, such as package carriers and grocery store clerks, hazard pay.
According to a summary of the legislation, there’s also a new $175 billion housing assistance fund to help renters and homeowners pay their rents, mortgages and utility bills.
Other provisions buried in the legislation include $3.6 billion for elections, $25 billion for the U.S. Postal Service and $100 million for the fishing industry.
While the deal represents the priorities of Democrats in the House — a vote is scheduled for Friday — Republicans who control the majority in the Senate have already said the bill is dead on arrival.
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Nick Grube is a reporter for Civil Beat. You can reach him by email at nick@civilbeat.org or follow him on Twitter at @nickgrube. You can also reach him by phone at 808-377-0246.