(2nd) Second Stimulus Checks Could Be Coming Soon
A second stimulus package is underway. The second stimulus package is being forged by the House Democratic leadership. They are currently working on a $150 billion package to bring relief to the hurting U.S. economy. Some analysts speculate that the second stimulus package could cost as much as $300 billion when it’s all said and done. As the economy continues to see a significant recession the anxiety is building for lawmakers to act quickly.
Stimulus Check? Try Stimulus Jobs
The main emphasis of this possible second stimulus package is the creation and security of jobs. The unemployment rate is at an all time high in the last five years. It rose to 6.1% over the summer and some fear it will continue to climb as high as 7.5% by the end of the year.
Another Stimulus Refund Check. $600-$1200
The second stimulus package will offer a few direct benefits for the consumer:
- A stimulus refund check, along the same parameters as the first. Depending on the income and size of the family, each household can expect a check in any amount from $600-$1200.
- A relief for those who are in need with their mortgages. The stimulus package suggests buying up runaway mortgages, refinancing and making it affordable for the homeowner.
- More jobs may come available for consumers who are in need of work. Those currently in financial crisis will be assisted by the government with extended unemployment benefits and high hopes of more jobs created.
Financial Relief for Local Government
Another potential emphasis of a second stimulus package being explored is to give some financial relief to state and local governments. Some specific areas that have been discussed are energy subsidies, aid in road repairs, assist the unemployment system and give help to the industries with the financial need (banks, automakers, etc.).
Other talks have lead to the spotlight shining on assisting homeowners that are facing foreclosure. These talks follow the suggestions of Senator John McCain’s proposal to buy up faulty mortgages and refinance to a reasonable price the homeowner could afford.
In September, the House approved a second stimulus package, but it was blocked by the Senate. It was a $56 million dollar package, significantly lower than anticipated. After this attempted was blocked by the Senate, there is suspicion that House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, will call on Congress to continue working on the details. Pelosi said, “I call on President Bush and congressional Republicans to once again heed Chairman Bernanke’s advice and as they did in January, work with Democrats in Congress to enact a targeted, timely and fiscally responsible economic recovery and job creation package.” It will most likely be after the Presidential Election is over and Washington prepares for new leadership.
The Democratic Party has been working closely with Senator Obama, who is in full support of a second stimulus package. The Obama campaigns proposal is to place a separate tax on oil companies to help pay for the stimulus package, although the details of how this would work specifically have not been released.
Follow The Money
The particulars of the proposed second stimulus package are still being hammered out, but there are some facts coming out of Washington of how the monies would be used:
- $37 billion used for public works
- $6 billion to extend unemployment benefits
- $15 billion in assistance to Medicaid bills
- And $3 billion in food stamp assistance.
There have also been talks of another tax rebate check, similar to the ones in the first stimulus package. The amounts would the same and so would the eligibility requirements. The hope is that when Americans receive this rebate they will spend it in order to give the economy a boost. Many programs have already been discussed with banks and large, corporate retailers to provide perks for these checks, if a second stimulus package is approved.
President Bush, along with many Republican leaders, were leery of a second package due to the strain already placed on the economy by the first stimulus package, earlier this year. After consulting with a few key advisors the President is now open to a possible second stimulus package. The Federal Government spending more money is currently not a popular notion for those serving Congress, yet it seems inevitable to get our country out of this mess.
One of President Bush’s spokespersons said, “We’re not proposing a second stimulus package right now… We are open to good ideas, we will listen to people if they put anything forward that we think would actually stimulate the economy; so far we have not seen that.”![]()
If President Bush does comply and Congress feels the need to move quickly, then an unusual Congressional session would have to be implemented after the elections.
The argument in Congress is that a second stimulus package would continue to increase the current federal debt. Many on the other side contend that we are in the middle of crisis that needs immediate action to avoid a greater disaster if no action was taken. When we start comparing our current financial situation to the Great Depression, they argue, something must be done. They believe a second stimulus package wouldn’t solve all the country’s issues but it would keep the economy afloat.
U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke, is making his case on Capitol Hill. He has the ears of Congress and the President alike. Mr. Bernanke urges lawmakers and politicians to move swiftly on approving a second stimulus package. He believes the American economy will continue to sink into recession over the course of the next 12-24 months and that a stimulus package would help keep the economy somewhat stable.
Bernanke’s plea was met with criticism from House Republican Leader, John A. Boehner, who contended that any spending plan proposed to the US government with the word “billions” in it, is not in the best interest for the US economy. Boehner believes a second stimulus package would be a cover-up for more lose spending by the Federal Government.
The Federal Government is currently in a frenzy when it comes to financial reform and has immense pressure to move quickly towards a resolution. The Presidential transition may put a damper on the speed in which the government may act, yet there’s no telling how swiftly things can get done in Washington when the pressures on.
More Second Stimulus Resources
- www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/10/democrats.stimulus/
- http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/20/AR2008102000872.html -
- www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23983922/
- http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/progressive-caucus-pushes-for-second-stimulus-package-2008-03-04.html
- www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1840174,00.html
- http://www.irs.gov
- www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE49K5ZZ20081021
- http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/oct/20/bernanke-urges-second-stimulus-package/
- http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h19_YeGzwzlmJhx42iIA7nJF0_UAD93VRK8O0
- www.post-gazette.com/pg/08295/921476-28.stm?cmpid=business.xml
- http://marketwatch.com/news/story/second-stimulus-check-dont-cash
- http://www.moolanomy.com/692/second-stimulus-check
If we do see another stimulus check, I would once again give mine to my Mother ~ DK




