Congressional negotiations should resume after July 4 holiday.
President Trump said Wednesday that he supports another coronavirus stimulus bill, but wants it done properly. He wants it to include incentives for Americans to go back to work, and he supports direct payments to individuals.
“I do. I support it, but it has to be done properly, and I support actually larger numbers [than some in Congress],” he said in an interview. “We want to create a very great incentive to work. So, we’re working on that and I’m sure we’ll all come together.”
His remarks are an indication that he will oppose an effort by some in Congress to renew a $600 supplement to weekly jobless benefits set to expire at the end of July that was contained in earlier relief legislation.
For some Americans, the combined weekly federal relief and the state relief has provided more income than what would be earned on the job, so there was no incentive to return to work as long as the federal relief lasted. “It was an incentive not to go to work,” the president said. “You’d make more money, if you don’t go to work—and that’s not what the country is about.” He added, “And people didn’t want that. They wanted to go to work, but it didn’t make sense because they make more money if they didn’t.”
Negotiations over another relief bill are not expected to pick up until Congress returns from a break for the July 4 Independence Day holiday.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For President Trump and his aides as they formulate an alternative plan to present to Congress that will incentivize a return to work.
- For Americans who remain out of work and whose benefits from the federal government are set to expire.
- For business owners and managers who have been forced into continued or returned lockdowns as a result of the coronavirus.
Sources: Reuters, Fox Business
