Public support for Universal Basic Income is growing day by day. Can we get to the point where UBI becomes a political imperative?
Change.org petition calling for monthly $2,000 stimulus checks has reached 2.25 million signatures—roughly 750,000 names away from reaching its goal of 3 million.
“Our country is still deeply struggling,” wrote Stephanie Bonin, the creator of the petition. “The recovery hasn’t reached many Americans—the true unemployment rate for low-wage workers is estimated at over 20% and many people face large debts from last year for things like utilities, rent and child care.”
Bonin, a restaurant owner in Denver, is calling for the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate to pass legislation that will provide monthly $2,000 payments for adults and $1,000 payments for children until the coronavirus pandemic is over.
Petition for Monthly Stimulus Checks Reaches 2.25 Million Signatures as Author Laments ‘Deeply Struggling’ Americans
The federal government has sent out three direct payments since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under former President Donald Trump, Congress approved a $1,200 check in March’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act and a $600 check in December of last year.
Petition for Monthly Stimulus Checks Reaches 2.25 Million Signatures as Author Laments ‘Deeply Struggling’ Americans
President Joe Biden, as part of his $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, sent out a round of $1,400 checks in March.
“It took nine months for Congress to send a second stimulus check, and just moments to spend it,” Bonin wrote in her petition. “Moving forward Congress needs to make recurring checks automatic if certain triggers are met. No more waiting around for our government to send the help we need. Sign to join our movement to get recurring checks to the people.”
Petition for Monthly Stimulus Checks Reaches 2.25 Million Signatures as Author Laments ‘Deeply Struggling’ Americans
Earlier this month, the petition ranked 23rd on Change.org’s top all-time petitions list in the U.S. It also ranked 40th in the top list of petitions globally. When it reaches 3 million signatures, the site said it will become “one of the top signed on Change.org!”
The petition for recurring $2,000 checks also made the list of Change.org’s top 10 petitions of the year 2020. It ranked seventh with 2.1 million signatures.
Petition for Monthly Stimulus Checks Reaches 2.25 Million Signatures as Author Laments ‘Deeply Struggling’ Americans
Bonin created the petition in March 2020 and has regularly updated it since. On May 17, which was Tax Day, Bonin wrote: “Let’s make sure that everyone has a piece of the pie…monthly checks to families ensures this.”
Her update also called for Biden’s expanded child tax credit to be made permanent. Roughly 39 million households are expected to receive the expanded child tax credit automatically, a figure the White House said covers nearly 90 percent of the children in the country.
The $300 monthly payments will start to be sent on July 15. Eligible households will receive the check every month through December.
Petition for Monthly Stimulus Checks Reaches 2.25 Million Signatures as Author Laments ‘Deeply Struggling’ Americans
“20 years ago, Community Change Action and Children’s Defense Fund- demanded an expanded Child Tax Credit. Today, they’re a reality and will cut child poverty in HALF. Now, we must extend this permanently,” the update read.
