Obamanation: Crash Course US History #47

In which John Green teaches you about recent history. By which we mean VERY recent history. John covers the end of George W. Bush’s administration presidency of Barack Obama (so far). Some people would say, “It’s too soon to try to interpret the historical importance of such recent events!” To those people we answer, “You’re

Stimulus Checks Cause Some To Lose Disability Benefits

Legal aid attorneys say the government is mistakenly docking benefits because of coronavirus rebate payments. Stimulus payments aren’t supposed to count against eligibility for social insurance programs like disability benefits, but some people might have lost benefits because of too much money in their bank accounts. The Social Security Administration has suspended disability benefits for

Madison Cawthorn Suddenly Loves the Stimulus Bill He Voted Against

A “happy” Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-NC) announced to his constituents on Twitter on Tuesday the arrival of millions of dollars worth of federal grants to health institutions in his western North Carolina district. Unannounced, however, was the fact that Cawthorn voted against the legislation that sent the grants out in the first place. In February,

Fourth Stimulus Check Gains Support in Congress As Third Round is Still Being Sent

A fourth stimulus relief check is gaining momentum in Congress while many people are still waiting on their third round of COVID relief. President Biden’s America Rescue Plan started distributing $1,400 stimulus checks more than two weeks ago to those who have direct deposit accounts registered with the IRS. Now, 64 Washington lawmakers want relief checks to

Democrats Say Agency Run By Trump Holdover Is Delaying Stimulus Checks

The IRS hasn’t received the payment information it requested to send checks to Social Security recipients. Millions of disabled and retired Americans are still waiting for their $1,400 stimulus payments because of a holdup at the Social Security Administration, House Democrats said Wednesday.  Social Security hasn’t handed over payment information that the Internal Revenue Service

Third of Republican Voters Think GOP Lawmakers Backed Biden Stimulus That None Supported

Nearly one-third of Republican voters believe that GOP lawmakers in Congress backed President Joe Biden‘s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan—even though not a single Republican voted for the massive relief legislation. The American Rescue Plan—which included $1,400 stimulus checks for most Americans, shored up unemployment benefits and significantly expanded the child tax credit—passed in the House and Senate on straight party-line

A single GOP senator blocked a bill that would stop private debt collectors from seizing stimulus checks

GOP Sen. Pat Toomey blocked a bill meant to stop debt collectors from seizing stimulus checks.  Democrats had hoped to pass the measure to maximize the help people would get. But Toomey intervened, saying debt collectors had the right to claim cash owed. Republican Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania on Thursday blocked a bill meant

A handful of states have refused to expand a life-saving healthcare program for years, denying millions of Americans health coverage. They’re finally out of excuses.

Politicians in several red states have resisted expanding Medicaid for more than a decade.  Research shows expanding Medicaid is the best way to get more people access to healthcare.  With new incentives in Biden’s stimulus package, the expansion will pay for itself.  Jonathan Schleifer is the Executive Director of The Fairness Project, a non-partisan nonprofit.

GOP’s new reality-warping message: Economic boom will have “nothing” to do with Biden stimulus

In a clearly coordinated counterattack, GOP leaders say the economy is rebounding — but Democrats didn’t do it Just as President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus was clearing its last hurdle on Tuesday and passing the House, Republicans on Capitol Hill launched a PR campaign aimed at suppressing Democrats’ future ability to claim credit for a post-pandemic

Democrats Pass $1.9 Trillion COVID Relief Plan In Biden’s First Major Legislative Success

The House passed the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package Wednesday, with Democrats in both chambers using their slim majorities to deliver President Joe Biden’s first big legislative victory and fulfill one of his campaign promises.  The House erupted into cheers as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) banged the gavel and closed out the vote. There