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=== Previous COVID-19 pandemic legislation === | === Previous COVID-19 pandemic legislation === | ||
{{Further|U.S. federal government response to the COVID-19 pandemic|List of COVID-19 pandemic legislation}}Prior to the passing of the American Rescue Plan, the [[CARES Act]] and [[Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021]] were signed into law by then-[[President of the United States|president]] [[Donald Trump]] in March and December | {{Further|U.S. federal government response to the COVID-19 pandemic|List of COVID-19 pandemic legislation}}Prior to the passing of the American Rescue Plan, the [[CARES Act]] and [[Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021]] were signed into law by then-[[President of the United States|president]] [[Donald Trump]] in March and December 2020, respectively. Trump previously expressed support for direct payments of $2,000 along with [[Joe Biden]] and many [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]]. Even though Trump called for Congress to pass a bill increasing direct payments from $600 to $2,000, then-[[Senate Majority Leader]] [[Mitch McConnell]] blocked the effort.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gregorian|first1=Dareh|date=December 29, 2020|title=McConnell blocks Senate Democrats' move to pass $2,000 coronavirus checks|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/mcconnell-blocks-senate-democrats-move-pass-2-000-coronavirus-checks-n1252483|website=NBC News}}</ref> Additionally, the House voted on the [[HEROES Act]] in May 2020, which would operate as a $3 trillion relief package. Despite approval in the lower chambers, the Republican-led Senate would not consider such a bill, citing it to be "dead on arrival".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Republicans 'Appalled' By $3 Trillion Heroes Act As Democrats Urge Its Passing|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/sergeiklebnikov/2020/05/16/republicans-appalled-by-3-trillion-heroes-act-as-democrats-urge-its-passing/?sh=42e269327599|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref> Prior to the [[2021 Georgia runoff election|Georgia Senate runoffs]]<!--intentional link to DAB page-->, Biden said that the direct payments of $2,000 would be passed only if Democratic candidates<!-- not Democratic nominees - Warnock-san's election was a jungle primary runoff which could in theory have featured two Democrats --> [[Jon Ossoff]] and [[Raphael Warnock]] won;<ref>{{cite web|last1=Duffy|first1=Kate|date=January 5, 2021|title=Biden tells Georgia voters that $2,000 stimulus checks will never arrive if Republicans win Senate runoffs|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/biden-georgia-senate-runoff-2000-stimulus-checks-immediately-2021-1|website=Business Insider}}</ref> the promise of comprehensive COVID-19 relief legislation was reported as a factor in their eventual victories.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/01/06/952417689/democrat-jon-ossoff-claims-victory-over-david-perdue-in-georgia-runoff |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210331164138/https://www.npr.org/2021/01/06/952417689/democrat-jon-ossoff-claims-victory-over-david-perdue-in-georgia-runoff |archive-date=2021-03-31|title=Jon Ossoff Wins Georgia Runoff, Handing Democrats Senate Control : NPR }}</ref> On January 14, prior to being [[Inauguration of Joe Biden|inaugurated]] as president, Biden announced the $1.9 trillion stimulus package.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Mason|first1=Jeff|last2=Renshaw|first2=Jarrett|date=January 14, 2021|title=Biden unveils plan to pump $1.9 trillion into pandemic-hit economy|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-biden-stimulus/biden-to-unveil-plan-to-pump-19-trillion-into-pandemic-hit-economy-idUSKBN29J1B1|website=Reuters}}</ref> | ||
== Legislative history == | == Legislative history == | ||
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Key elements of the Act include: | Key elements of the Act include: | ||
*[[Unemployment extension|Extending expanded unemployment benefits]] with a $300 weekly supplement through [[Labor Day]] (September 6, 2021), preventing benefits from expiring on March 31, 2021<ref name=Cochrane>Emily Cochrane, [https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/06/us/politics/biden-stimulus-plan.html Divided Senate Passes Biden's Pandemic Aid Plan], ''New York Times'' (March 6, 2021).</ref | *[[Unemployment extension|Extending expanded unemployment benefits]] with a $300 weekly supplement through [[Labor Day]] (September 6, 2021), preventing benefits from expiring on March 31, 2021<ref name="nytimes.com" /><ref name=Cochrane>Emily Cochrane, [https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/06/us/politics/biden-stimulus-plan.html Divided Senate Passes Biden's Pandemic Aid Plan], ''New York Times'' (March 6, 2021).</ref> | ||
** Most Democrats favored a higher amount (with the bill initially passed by the House providing for $400 weekly supplement) and some favored a longer duration (through early October); however, the final bill contained a scaled-back provision, at the insistence of Senator [[Joe Manchin]] of [[West Virginia]], and other moderate Senate Democrats.<ref name=Cochrane/><ref name=SenatePassageBill>Tony Romm, Jeff Stein and Erica Werner, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/03/06/biden-stimulus-covid-relief/ Senate passes Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill after voting overnight on amendments, sends measure back to House], ''Washington Post'' (March 6, 2021).</ref><ref name=WhatExpect>Tami Luhby & Katie Lobosco, [https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/04/politics/senate-stimulus-package-what-to-expect-guide/index.html A guide to what you can expect to get from the $1.9 trillion Senate stimulus], CNN (March 6, 2021).</ref> | ** Most Democrats favored a higher amount (with the bill initially passed by the House providing for $400 weekly supplement) and some favored a longer duration (through early October); however, the final bill contained a scaled-back provision, at the insistence of Senator [[Joe Manchin]] of [[West Virginia]], and other moderate Senate Democrats.<ref name=Cochrane/><ref name=SenatePassageBill>Tony Romm, Jeff Stein and Erica Werner, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/03/06/biden-stimulus-covid-relief/ Senate passes Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill after voting overnight on amendments, sends measure back to House], ''Washington Post'' (March 6, 2021).</ref><ref name=WhatExpect>Tami Luhby & Katie Lobosco, [https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/04/politics/senate-stimulus-package-what-to-expect-guide/index.html A guide to what you can expect to get from the $1.9 trillion Senate stimulus], CNN (March 6, 2021).</ref> | ||
** The act makes the first $10,200 in unemployment benefits for 2020 not taxable for households with incomes below $150,000, thus avoiding the risk of many workers incurring surprise federal tax liability.<ref name=ZhouStewartSummarySenate/> | ** The act makes the first $10,200 in unemployment benefits for 2020 not taxable for households with incomes below $150,000, thus avoiding the risk of many workers incurring surprise federal tax liability.<ref name=ZhouStewartSummarySenate/> | ||
*$1,400 direct payments to individuals.<ref name="nytimes.com" /><ref name=SenatePassageBill/> | *$1,400 direct payments to individuals.<ref name="nytimes.com" /><ref name=SenatePassageBill/> | ||
** Under pressure from Manchin, Biden agreed to have the direct payment start to phase out for high-income taxpayers, including some who received stimulus checks in previous stimulus rounds. | ** Under pressure from Manchin, Biden agreed to have the direct payment start to phase out for high-income taxpayers, including some who received stimulus checks in previous stimulus rounds.<ref name=ZhouStewartSummarySenate>Li Zhou & Emily Stewart, [https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2021/3/6/22315536/stimulus-package-passes-checks-unemployment The Senate just passed the $1.9 trillion stimulus package. Here's what in it.], ''Vox'' (March 6, 2021).</ref><ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/03/03/biden-limits-eligibility-stimulus-payments-under-pressure-moderate-senate-democrats/ Biden limits eligibility for stimulus payments under pressure from moderate Senate Democrats], ''Washington Post'' (March 3, 2021).</ref> The stimulus benefit begins to phase out for taxpayers making $75,000 for individuals, $112,500 for single parents, and $150,000 for [[Filing status|couples]]; taxpayers making more than $80,000 for individuals, $120,000 for single parents, and $160,000 for households will not receive any payment.<ref name=Cochrane/> (House Democrats and Biden had favored less stringent caps; the bill initially passed by the House set income caps $100,000 for individuals and $200,000 for couples).<ref name=WhatExpect/> | ||
** Unlike in past rounds of stimulus payments, otherwise eligible adult dependents will receive payments,<ref name=ZhouStewartSummarySenate/> including college students,<ref name=ZhouStewartSummarySenate/> [[Supplemental Security Income|SSI]] recipients, and [[Social Security Disability Insurance|SSDI]] recipients.<ref name=CNET>[https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/more-than-stimulus-checks-all-the-tax-breaks-parents-and-retirees-should-know/ More than stimulus checks: All the tax breaks parents and retirees should know], ''CNET'' (March 5, 2021).</ref> | ** Unlike in past rounds of stimulus payments, otherwise eligible adult dependents will receive payments,<ref name=ZhouStewartSummarySenate/> including college students,<ref name=ZhouStewartSummarySenate/> [[Supplemental Security Income|SSI]] recipients, and [[Social Security Disability Insurance|SSDI]] recipients.<ref name=CNET>[https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/more-than-stimulus-checks-all-the-tax-breaks-parents-and-retirees-should-know/ More than stimulus checks: All the tax breaks parents and retirees should know], ''CNET'' (March 5, 2021).</ref> | ||
*Emergency paid leave for over 100 million Americans<ref name="nytimes.com" /> | *Emergency paid leave for over 100 million Americans<ref name="nytimes.com" /> | ||
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*Extends a 15% increase in [[Food Stamp Program|food stamp]] benefits (the increase, passed in previous rounds of stimulus; was set to expire at the end of June 2021; the bill extends it through September 2021).<ref name=WhatExpect/> | *Extends a 15% increase in [[Food Stamp Program|food stamp]] benefits (the increase, passed in previous rounds of stimulus; was set to expire at the end of June 2021; the bill extends it through September 2021).<ref name=WhatExpect/> | ||
*Tax provisions | *Tax provisions | ||
**Expands the [[child tax credit]]<ref name=ZhouStewartSummarySenate/> from $2000 per child, by allowing qualifying families to offset, for the 2021 tax year, $3,000 per child up to age 17 and $3,600 per child under age 6.<ref name= | **Expands the [[child tax credit]]<ref name=ZhouStewartSummarySenate/> from $2000 per child, by allowing qualifying families to offset, for the 2021 tax year, $3,000 per child up to age 17 and $3,600 per child under age 6.<ref name=WhatExpect/><ref name=ZhouStewartSummarySenate/> The size of the benefit will gradually diminish for single filers earning more than $75,000 per year, or married couples making more than $150,000 a year.<ref name=FAQ/> Additionally, this credit is now fully refundable, and half of the benefit can be sent out to eligible households in 2021. [[United States Senate|Senator]] [[Mitt Romney]] of [[Utah]] introduced a similar bill four days earlier, but did not vote in favor of the bill.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Higgins |first1=Tucker |title=Democrats unveil one-year plan to send up to $3,600 per child to households |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/08/democrats-want-to-send-up-to-3600-per-child-to-households.html |website=CNBC |access-date=9 February 2021 |date=February 8, 2020}}</ref><ref>https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=117&session=1&vote=00110L</ref> | ||
** Expands the [[child and dependent care credit]] by making the credit fully refundable and increasing the maximum benefit to $4,000 for one eligible individual and $8,000 for two or more eligible individuals.<ref name=FAQ/> Additionally, the value of this credit will now be based on 50% of the value of eligible expenses. The income limit for receiving this credit is also increased to $125,000 for households. These changes are also for 2021 only. | ** Expands the [[child and dependent care credit]] by making the credit fully refundable and increasing the maximum benefit to $4,000 for one eligible individual and $8,000 for two or more eligible individuals.<ref name=FAQ/> Additionally, the value of this credit will now be based on 50% of the value of eligible expenses. The income limit for receiving this credit is also increased to $125,000 for households. These changes are also for 2021 only. | ||
**Expands the [[earned income tax credit]] by removing the upper age limit and lowering the lower age limit to 19. The maximum benefit for adults not claiming a qualifying child will also be increased to $1,502. These provisions are for 2021 only. A permanent change was made to raise the limit on investment income from $3,650 to $10,000, furthermore indexed by inflation; and to allow adults with children who do not qualify to claim the credit, to claim it only for themselves.<ref name="FAQ">{{cite news |last1=Lieber |first1=Ron |last2=Bernard |first2=Tara |title=F.A.Q. on Stimulus, Unemployment and Tax Rebates |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/03/06/business/stimulus-check-plan-details#how-does-this-change-the-child-tax-credit |access-date=12 March 2021}}</ref> | **Expands the [[earned income tax credit]] by removing the upper age limit and lowering the lower age limit to 19. The maximum benefit for adults not claiming a qualifying child will also be increased to $1,502. These provisions are for 2021 only. A permanent change was made to raise the limit on investment income from $3,650 to $10,000, furthermore indexed by inflation; and to allow adults with children who do not qualify to claim the credit, to claim it only for themselves.<ref name="FAQ">{{cite news |last1=Lieber |first1=Ron |last2=Bernard |first2=Tara |title=F.A.Q. on Stimulus, Unemployment and Tax Rebates |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/03/06/business/stimulus-check-plan-details#how-does-this-change-the-child-tax-credit |access-date=12 March 2021}}</ref> | ||
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*** Extends "loss limitation" restrictions on unincorporated businesses (will generate $31 billion in tax revenue)<ref name=Faler/> | *** Extends "loss limitation" restrictions on unincorporated businesses (will generate $31 billion in tax revenue)<ref name=Faler/> | ||
*Grants to small businesses,<ref name="nytimes.com" /> specifically: | *Grants to small businesses,<ref name="nytimes.com" /> specifically: | ||
** $28.6 billion for the [[Restaurant Revitalization Fund]], a new grant program for restaurants and bars to meet payroll and other expenses. Individual businesses will be eligible for $5 million each.<ref name=Newmyer>Tory Newmyer, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/03/07/restaurants-venues-covid-relief/ The business winners in Biden's relief package: Restaurants, concert venues and airplane manufacturers], ''Washington Post'' (March 7, 2021).</ref | ** $28.6 billion for the [[Restaurant Revitalization Fund]], a new grant program for restaurants and bars to meet payroll and other expenses. Individual businesses will be eligible for $5 million each.<ref name=WhatExpect/><ref name=Newmyer>Tory Newmyer, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/03/07/restaurants-venues-covid-relief/ The business winners in Biden's relief package: Restaurants, concert venues and airplane manufacturers], ''Washington Post'' (March 7, 2021).</ref> | ||
** $15 billion for Emergency Injury Disaster Loans (a long-term, low-interest loan program of the [[Small Business Administration]]); priority for some funds would go to "severely impacted small businesses with fewer than 10 workers".<ref name=WhatExpect/> | ** $15 billion for Emergency Injury Disaster Loans (a long-term, low-interest loan program of the [[Small Business Administration]]); priority for some funds would go to "severely impacted small businesses with fewer than 10 workers".<ref name=WhatExpect/> | ||
** An additional $7 billion for the [[Paycheck Protection Program]], and an expansion of the eligibility criteria to some non-profit organizations previously excluded from the program.<ref name=WhatExpect/> | ** An additional $7 billion for the [[Paycheck Protection Program]], and an expansion of the eligibility criteria to some non-profit organizations previously excluded from the program.<ref name=WhatExpect/> | ||
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** $175 million for a Community Navigator Program to reach out to eligible businesses.<ref name=WhatExpect/> | ** $175 million for a Community Navigator Program to reach out to eligible businesses.<ref name=WhatExpect/> | ||
** Funding for the Recovery Startup provision of the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC), a refundable payroll tax credit. Small businesses that launch a new offering after February 15, 2020, can claim up to $7,000 per employee per quarter in Q3/Q4 2021, capped at $100,000.<ref name="New Trade or Business ERTC">[https://clarusrd.com/news/understanding-recovery-startup-of-ertc/ Recovery Startup ERTC (June 7, 2021)]</ref> | ** Funding for the Recovery Startup provision of the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC), a refundable payroll tax credit. Small businesses that launch a new offering after February 15, 2020, can claim up to $7,000 per employee per quarter in Q3/Q4 2021, capped at $100,000.<ref name="New Trade or Business ERTC">[https://clarusrd.com/news/understanding-recovery-startup-of-ertc/ Recovery Startup ERTC (June 7, 2021)]</ref> | ||
*$350 billion to help state, local, and tribal governments bridge budget shortfalls and mitigate the [[Shock (economics)|fiscal shock]].<ref name= | *$350 billion to help state, local, and tribal governments bridge budget shortfalls and mitigate the [[Shock (economics)|fiscal shock]].<ref name=Cochrane/><ref name=SenatePassageBill/><ref name=StateLocal>Tami Luhby, [https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/05/politics/state-budgets-covid-relief-package/index.html With Congress poised to give states and local governments $350 billion, pandemic budget hit for many was smaller than predicted], CNN (March 5, 2021).</ref> | ||
** A total of $195 billion would be allocated among the states and the [[District of Columbia]], and the tribes and territories would be allocated about $25 billion.<ref name=StateLocal/> | ** A total of $195 billion would be allocated among the states and the [[District of Columbia]], and the tribes and territories would be allocated about $25 billion.<ref name=StateLocal/> | ||
** The Act also allocates $60 billion to counties and $10 billion for a Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund.<ref name=StateLocal/> (The bill initially passed by the House would have instead allocated $65 billion to counties and $65 billion to municipalities, but the Senate formula was adopted instead).<ref name=StateLocal/> | ** The Act also allocates $60 billion to counties and $10 billion for a Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund.<ref name=StateLocal/> (The bill initially passed by the House would have instead allocated $65 billion to counties and $65 billion to municipalities, but the Senate formula was adopted instead).<ref name=StateLocal/> | ||
*Education funding: | *Education funding: | ||
**$130 billion for [[K-12]] schools,<ref name=SenatePassageBill/><ref name=LubbyLobosco>Tami Luhby and Katie Lobosco, [https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/04/politics/stimulus-senate-democrats-proposal/index.html Here's what's in the Senate stimulus plan], CNN (March 6, 2021).</ref> to safely reopen most schools within 100 days.<ref name="nytimes.com" /> | **$130 billion for [[K-12]] schools,<ref name=SenatePassageBill/><ref name=LubbyLobosco>Tami Luhby and Katie Lobosco, [https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/04/politics/stimulus-senate-democrats-proposal/index.html Here's what's in the Senate stimulus plan], CNN (March 6, 2021).</ref> to safely reopen most schools within 100 days.<ref name="nytimes.com" /> | ||
***The money for K-12 schools may be used to improve [[ventilation (architecture)|ventilation]] in school buildings, [[Class-size reduction|reduce class sizes]] to make [[social distancing]] possible, purchase [[personal protective equipment]], and hire support staff.<ref name= | ***The money for K-12 schools may be used to improve [[ventilation (architecture)|ventilation]] in school buildings, [[Class-size reduction|reduce class sizes]] to make [[social distancing]] possible, purchase [[personal protective equipment]], and hire support staff.<ref name=ZhouStewartSummarySenate/><ref name=LubbyLobosco/> | ||
***20% of the school money must be directed to programs to help counteract "learning loss" from students who missed school during the pandemic.<ref name=ZhouStewartSummarySenate/> | ***20% of the school money must be directed to programs to help counteract "learning loss" from students who missed school during the pandemic.<ref name=ZhouStewartSummarySenate/> | ||
** Almost $40 billion for colleges and universities.<ref name=LubbyLobosco/> | ** Almost $40 billion for colleges and universities.<ref name=LubbyLobosco/> | ||
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In a deeply [[political polarization|polarized]] Congress, the relief package received universal support from Democrats and universal opposition from Republicans, passing on [[party-line vote]]s.<ref name=BipartisanshipDead>{{cite news|author=Carl Hulse|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/06/us/politics/stimulus-senate-bipartisanship-biden.html|date=March 6, 2021|title=After Stimulus Victory in Senate, Reality Sinks in: Bipartisanship Is Dead|newspaper=New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Jeff Stein|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/03/07/stimulus-politics/|date=March 7, 2021|title='We need the government': Biden's $1.9 trillion relief plan reflects seismic shifts in U.S. politics}}</ref> Some House Democratic progressives expressed disappointment with some changes to the relief package made in the Senate (such as the dropping of the $15 minimum wage) to win over moderate Democratic support, but continued to support the package.<ref>Sarah Elbeshbishi, [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/03/06/covid-stimulus-bill-what-changed-between-senate-and-house-versions/4610104001/ Some House progressives aren't happy with Senate version of COVID relief package. Here's what changed.], ''USA Today'' (March 6, 2021).</ref> | In a deeply [[political polarization|polarized]] Congress, the relief package received universal support from Democrats and universal opposition from Republicans, passing on [[party-line vote]]s.<ref name=BipartisanshipDead>{{cite news|author=Carl Hulse|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/06/us/politics/stimulus-senate-bipartisanship-biden.html|date=March 6, 2021|title=After Stimulus Victory in Senate, Reality Sinks in: Bipartisanship Is Dead|newspaper=New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Jeff Stein|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/03/07/stimulus-politics/|date=March 7, 2021|title='We need the government': Biden's $1.9 trillion relief plan reflects seismic shifts in U.S. politics}}</ref> Some House Democratic progressives expressed disappointment with some changes to the relief package made in the Senate (such as the dropping of the $15 minimum wage) to win over moderate Democratic support, but continued to support the package.<ref>Sarah Elbeshbishi, [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/03/06/covid-stimulus-bill-what-changed-between-senate-and-house-versions/4610104001/ Some House progressives aren't happy with Senate version of COVID relief package. Here's what changed.], ''USA Today'' (March 6, 2021).</ref> | ||
Republicans in Congress opposed the bill, believing it to be unaffordable, <ref name=FinalPassage/> and falsely claiming the bill only benefitted Democratic-led states.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021|title=Republican attorneys general threaten key element of the $1.9 trillion stimulus|work=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/03/16/republicans-threat-stimulus/|url-status=live}}</ref> Though it does not only benefit Democratic-led states, 61% of aid would go to states that voted for Biden in November 2020. <ref name="Urban vs Rural">{{Cite web|date=2021-02-24|title=Analysis: Urban states come out ahead, rural states get less in Biden's COVID-19 relief bill | Republicans in Congress opposed the bill, believing it to be unaffordable,<ref name=FinalPassage/> and falsely claiming the bill only benefitted Democratic-led states.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021|title=Republican attorneys general threaten key element of the $1.9 trillion stimulus|work=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/03/16/republicans-threat-stimulus/|url-status=live}}</ref> Though it does not only benefit Democratic-led states, 61% of aid would go to states that voted for Biden in November 2020.<ref name="Urban vs Rural">{{Cite web|date=2021-02-24|title=Analysis: Urban states come out ahead, rural states get less in Biden's COVID-19 relief bill | ||
|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-states-analysi/analysis-urban-states-come-out-ahead-rural-states-get-less-in-bidens-covid-19-relief-bill-idUSKBN2AO183}}</ref> Lawrence Summers argued that there was a one-third chance that inflation would accelerate and that the | |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-states-analysi/analysis-urban-states-come-out-ahead-rural-states-get-less-in-bidens-covid-19-relief-bill-idUSKBN2AO183}}</ref> Lawrence Summers argued that there was a one-third chance that inflation would accelerate and that the | ||
Federal Reserve would “hit the brakes,” destabilizing the markets and sinking the economy close to a recession. <ref name="Larry Summers 1">{{Cite web|date=2021-03-20|title=Larry Summers blasts $1.9 T stimulus as 'least responsible' economic policy in 40 years|url=https://thehill.com/policy/finance/544188-larry-summers-blasts-least-responsible-economic-policy-in-40-years}}</ref> Summers saw the 5.4% CPI surge as evidence that his criticisms had some merit. <ref name="Larry Summers 2">{{Cite web|date=2021-07-17|title=Former Treasury secretary breaks down rising inflation|url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2021/07/17/consumer-prices-surge-is-it-time-to-worry-about-inflation.cnn}}</ref> While debates and negotiations over the stimulus package were on-going, Republicans focused instead on [[culture war]] issues unrelated to government actions, such as the decision by the [[Dr. Seuss]] estate to stop publishing a [[Dr. Seuss#Retired books|racially incendiary Dr. Seuss book]] and the re-branding of the "[[Mr. Potato Head]]" toy.<ref>{{Cite news|date=March 6, 2021|title=Early in Biden's presidency, GOP shows the places they'll go|work=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gop-seuss-muppets-neanderthal/2021/03/05/9d4e92b6-7dd8-11eb-a976-c028a4215c78_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Many of the provisions in the bill were also included in stimulus legislation passed with Republican support under the [[Presidency of Donald Trump|Trump administration]], making it difficult for Republicans to argue against them.<ref name=FinalPassage/> After Congress passed the bill, Senator [[Roger Wicker]] (R-MS) highlighted on social media that the bill awarded $28.6 billion of "targeted relief" for "independent restaurant operators" to "survive the pandemic". In that social media post, Wicker neglected to mention that he had in fact voted against the bill.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cochrane |first1=Emily |last2=Kaplan |first2=Thomas |title=A G.O.P. senator tweets approvingly about part of the stimulus bill, without mentioning one detail: his 'no' vote. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/us/roger-wicker-tweet-stimulus.html |access-date=March 11, 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=March 10, 2021}}</ref> | Federal Reserve would “hit the brakes,” destabilizing the markets and sinking the economy close to a recession.<ref name="Larry Summers 1">{{Cite web|date=2021-03-20|title=Larry Summers blasts $1.9 T stimulus as 'least responsible' economic policy in 40 years|url=https://thehill.com/policy/finance/544188-larry-summers-blasts-least-responsible-economic-policy-in-40-years}}</ref> Summers saw the 5.4% CPI surge as evidence that his criticisms had some merit.<ref name="Larry Summers 2">{{Cite web|date=2021-07-17|title=Former Treasury secretary breaks down rising inflation|url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2021/07/17/consumer-prices-surge-is-it-time-to-worry-about-inflation.cnn}}</ref> While debates and negotiations over the stimulus package were on-going, Republicans focused instead on [[culture war]] issues unrelated to government actions, such as the decision by the [[Dr. Seuss]] estate to stop publishing a [[Dr. Seuss#Retired books|racially incendiary Dr. Seuss book]] and the re-branding of the "[[Mr. Potato Head]]" toy.<ref>{{Cite news|date=March 6, 2021|title=Early in Biden's presidency, GOP shows the places they'll go|work=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gop-seuss-muppets-neanderthal/2021/03/05/9d4e92b6-7dd8-11eb-a976-c028a4215c78_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Many of the provisions in the bill were also included in stimulus legislation passed with Republican support under the [[Presidency of Donald Trump|Trump administration]], making it difficult for Republicans to argue against them.<ref name=FinalPassage/> After Congress passed the bill, Senator [[Roger Wicker]] (R-MS) highlighted on social media that the bill awarded $28.6 billion of "targeted relief" for "independent restaurant operators" to "survive the pandemic". In that social media post, Wicker neglected to mention that he had in fact voted against the bill.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cochrane |first1=Emily |last2=Kaplan |first2=Thomas |title=A G.O.P. senator tweets approvingly about part of the stimulus bill, without mentioning one detail: his 'no' vote. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/us/roger-wicker-tweet-stimulus.html |access-date=March 11, 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=March 10, 2021}}</ref> | ||
===President Biden === | ===President Biden === | ||