Three House Democrats introduced a bill last week to provide Americans with monthly direct payments through the year 2022.
The plan was unveiled by Reps. Mike Thompson of California, Lauren Underwood of Illinois, and John Larson of Connecticut. The national gas price average is $4 per gallon and the monthly checks would be $100 for individuals and $200 for couples. Households could claim an extra $100 for each dependent they claim on their tax returns.
Americans are feeling the impact of the illegal invasion of Ukraine, and right now we must work together on commonsense policy solutions to ease the financial burden that my constituents are feeling.
The third and finalStimulus check issued last year had income thresholds similar to those of the individual tax filers making under $75,000 and couples making $150,000. People earning more than $160,000 would not be eligible.
Democrats are trying to address high prices at the pump in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The average price for a gallon of gas dropped eight cents from a week ago to $4.25. The group said that lower prices for crude oil are part of the reason for the dip.
The plan has a long way to go to become law. Republicans tend to be wary of giving direct aid with no strings attached because of the spike in gas prices. Some Democrats were willing to support a version of the energy rebate without committing to it.
The chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, told Insider last week that he was looking at it.
The plan introduced by Ro Khanna of California and Sen. Whitehouse of Rhode Island would provide quarterly payments to Americans funded by a tax on profitable oil companies.
The gas tax was temporarily suspended for the rest of the year. It is an approach favored by a pair of Senate Democrats from Arizona and New Hampshire. Republicans assailed the idea as a short-term ploy and not every Democrat is onboard.
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