US House OKs coronavirus bill to send Americans checks. How SC’s congressmen voted
South Carolina’s representatives in the U.S. House voted on a $2 trillion stimulus package Friday that would send $1,200 checks to most Americans — help supporters say will be a life line to residents and the economy as the coronavirus spreads across the country, closing businesses and putting people out of work.
Though the legislation was passed with a voice vote, Palmetto State lawmakers unanimously voiced their support for the aid bill on the House floor Friday and on social media.
During the debate ahead of the vote, House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-Columbia, thanked his colleagues for the support shown for the aid package.
“The problem is, many times that recovery is uneven, and what we’ve done with this legislation is created the opportunity to have a more equitable recovery taking place, and I thank you all for doing that,” Clyburn said.
Several South Carolina Republicans said the bill was not perfect, but chose to support it anyway. Many echoed the frequent complaints from their Republican colleagues that Democrats tried to add extra, unnecessary provisions to the bill during negotiations, needlessly holding up the package.
Meanwhile, Democrats in both chambers have said that early versions of the bill catered too much to corporations and did not focus enough on individuals.
On the House floor, U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-Rock Hill, also lamented the multi-trillion dollar price tag that came with bill, while U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-Springfield, advocated for increasing “local responsibility” for fighting the effects of the virus.
U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-Laurens, pointed out that the “cost of doing nothing” was great.
“This coronavirus rescue and recovery package will help bring stability back to the moms and dads out of work, to the main street businesses that are the backbone of our economy, to the manufacturers and companies that produce to meet our needs, and importantly to our health care systems that we rely on,” Duncan said in a statement.
U.S. Rep. Tom Rice, R-Myrtle Beach, called the bipartisan bill a “step in the right direction.”
U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham, D-Charleston, was not present for the vote, though he had voiced support for it in the past. He has been in self-quarantine after coming in contact with another member of Congress who tested positive for the coronavirus. Cunningham since announced he also tested positive.
The Senate passed the bill unanimously March 25, and it will now head to President Donald Trump’s desk to be signed.
The federal relief effort comes as South Carolina health officials have identified 539 cases of the coronavirus, and 13 people have died after contracting the virus as of late Friday.
The stimulus package marks Congress’ strongest actions taken to lessen the economic impact of the coronavirus as millions across the country self-quarantine.
The bill includes sending $1,200 checks to all adults making less than $75,000 and $2,400 to married couples filing jointly with a combined income of less than $150,000. It also offers an additional $500 per child.
The checks would be send to all U.S. residents, even those without income or who depend on social security.
The bill would also offer an additional $600 per month for those on unemployment for up to four months, a measure that was opposed by U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott, South Carolina Republicans.
The package also contains a $500 billion lending program, $367 billion to specifically help small businesses, $150 billion for state and local stimulus funds and $130 billion to go to hospitals across the country. Lawmakers also added a tax credit for some small businesses for 50% of wages paid to employees.
Over the last month, Congress has passed two other coronavirus relief bills.
The first bill was a $8.3 billion emergency spending package that send $8.9 million to South Carolina. The second package provided free COVID-19 testing, including for those who do not have insurance, and required employers with fewer than 500 employees to give paid sick leave. It also gave $1 billion to states to help pay for processing and paying for unemployment claims, and provides about $1 billion for food assistance programs.
Several congressmen from South Carolina voted against the second package.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
This story was originally published March 27, 2020 at 2:45 PM.
