U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Steve Daines (R-MT) on July 30 led the introduction of a Republican bill that would provide supplementary 2020 recovery rebates to eligible individuals.
“Much of the burden of the pandemic has fallen on parents and children,” Sen. Cassidy said. “This legislation prioritizes their needs by providing resources for school supplies, childcare and other unexpected expenses.”
Sen. Cassidy sponsored the Coronavirus Assistance for American Families Act, S. 4381, with lead original cosponsor Sen. Daines and two other Republican cosponsors.
If enacted, S. 4381 would equally disburse Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) of $1,000 for both adults and children with social security numbers, $2,000 if filing jointly; and would provide a family of four with $4,000, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers’ offices.
S. 4381 also would include EIP eligibility for adult dependents — such as those with disabilities and college students — and U.S. citizens married to foreign nationals, according to the bill summary.
“This is about putting more money in the hands of Montana families who are struggling to get by because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Sen. Daines. “This will increase the amount of money Montana moms and dads can receive in their direct checks for each child and other dependents, including those with disabilities.”
According to the bill summary, S. 4381 would prioritize families by expanding assistance through an increased child benefit so that a family of four would receive $600 more than they did under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and would provide greater assistance to single parents with multiple children who face additional economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our economic policies have left young, working families behind at a time when our marriage and childbirth rates are falling, and it is time to realign our economic policies in support of American families,” according to the lawmakers’ summary.