Members of the House remain scattered across the country in their districts, on a recess that is likely to last at least until they take up the economic relief package. “We are going to have to flex some muscles that may have atrophied,” Mr. Schumer said in a speech on the Senate floor. Their proposal would phase in the payments for earners up to $75,000 — meaning lower earners would get smaller checks — and then phase out again at $99,000. Senator Josh Hawley, Republican of Missouri, moved on Friday to try to alter the bill so that low-income individuals and families would get the full benefit. Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina and a close ally of Mr. Trump’s, is pushing to distribute the money through unemployment insurance, an idea he has shared with the White House.

Source: New York Times March 20, 2020 17:33 UTC