Letter to the Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon. Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Leader, the Hon. Mitch McConnell, Senate Majority Leader, and the Hon. Charles Schumer, Senate Minority Leader - Thompson, 16 California Members Write to Congressional Leaders Regarding Stimulus Checks

Letter

Dear Speaker Pelosi, Leader McConnell, Leader Schumer, and Leader McCarthy:

As you continue to negotiate legislation responding to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), we are writing to request that any additional Economic Impact Payments (EIP) be appropriately accessible for Americans across the country.

Specifically, we are concerned by reports that EIP provisions in forthcoming COVID-19 legislation could conceivably be restricted to Americans earning $40,000 or below. Not only would this strategy fail to meet the needs of millions of hardworking Americans -- who should not be penalized arbitrarily -- but it would also fail to account for the significant cost of living differences across the country.

We fully support your efforts to provide needed stimulus to the millions of Americans struggling to stay afloat during this unprecedented time. We are similarly in agreement that COVID-19 aid should be targeted towards those most in need. However, in meeting these goals, it is essential that arbitrary or overly restrictive thresholds not jeopardize assistance for Americans in need.