© Drew Angerer/GettyHouse Majority Whip Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) appears during a press conference with House Democratic leadership in Washington, D.C. on March 9, 2021.
House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) believes that an initial round of $1,400 stimulus checks in President Joe Biden's COVID-19 relief package could be sent to Americans by next week.
Clyburn said that he expects the bill to be passed by the House and sent to Biden's desk by the end of the week during a Tuesday appearance on MSNBC. The congressman said that he hopes the first batch of checks would then be sent out next week, while noting that the timeline depends somewhat on "the machinery of government."
"We want to get this bill to the president for his signature before the end of the week," said Clyburn. "I'm very hopeful that by the beginning of next week, some relief can be realized. As you know, there's a process that we have to go through. The president can't just toss the money out once he signs the bill."
Clyburn reiterated that he expects the checks will be quickly issued after being pressed by host Kristen Welker, while noting that the timeline was somewhat "at the mercy of the legislative process."
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) suggested that the checks would be issued "in about two weeks" during a Tuesday press conference in Buffalo, New York, calling the payments "a nice Easter present for everybody."
The Senate passed the bill, dubbed the American Rescue Plan, on Saturday along party lines. The House is expected to vote on the bill by Wednesday, with passage likely. The $1.9 trillion relief package includes a host of provisions in addition to the stimulus checks, like expanded unemployment benefits, tax credits and aid for small businesses.
Third COVID-19 Stimulus Check Timeline Updates: Senate Passes 2021 Bill, Moves On To House For Approval
![UP NEXT]()
UP NEXT
Previous stimulus checks have been distributed relatively quickly. The $1,200 checks that went out following the passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act last March started being issued about two weeks after the bill was signed into law by former President Donald Trump. The first batch of the recent $600 checks went out within days of the legislation passing in late December.
The new checks would be the largest yet issued, although with the strictest income eligibility limits. While individuals making under $75,000 per year would get the full amount like in previous rounds, incomes above the threshold would result in reduced payments that are entirely phased out for those making $80,000 or more. Couples making $150,000 or less would receive the full payment, with payments phased out at $160,000.
The CARES Act payments did not phase out entirely until individual incomes exceeded $99,000 and couples exceeded $198,000. The second round of checks, for $600, phased out at $87,000 for individuals and $174,000 for couples.
The new payments are also expected to include a notable cosmetic change. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday that those receiving paper checks should not expect any delays due to the signature of the president being added, dropping a feature of the checks previously issued under Trump.
Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment.
Related Articles
Start your unlimited Newsweek trial