Sen. Charles Grassley expressed skepticism on Monday during his Capitol Hill Report when it comes to another COVID-19 relief package. However, he said he is in the minority when it comes to his skepticism of whether more aide is needed.
“If the economy was really turning around I don’t think we should be wasting our time in borrowing this money and spending it on top of the $3 trillion we already have,” Grassley said. “But I think my view is in the minority and I’m not really sure myself that the economy is turning around strong enough yet that I can say we don’t need one. But I’m a little more cautious than some of my colleagues that say we need one.”
He speculated that sometime between July 21 and Aug. 6 there will be a bill put together and presented to President Donald Trump.
“It could include another round of checks,” he said. “It’s not going to include the $600 for add-on to state unemployment.”
Grassley said that has disincentivized work and, in order to turn the economy around, people have to get back to work.
“It’s not going to be entirely eliminated, but it’s going to be dramatically reduced and phased out,” he said.
There may also be more help for state and local governments in terms of lost revenue.
He also said work will be done when it comes to planning funding for the potential vaccine – whether the vaccine should be paid for by the taxpayers, by individuals or by some combination of the two.
