I’ve explained many times why sending large checks to all taxpayers is a poor form of stimulus. In a nutshell, a large percentage of the money will go to relatively affluent people who are unscathed by the pandemic, and who will just save it. That does not provide any relief for struggling small businesses, or the unemployed.
But the checks are broadly popular, and money is almost free right now. What if the checks are thrown into a package that also includes aid for state and local governments and a longer extension of unemployment benefits? Why not make the GOP pay the price if it wants to make a stand for austerity for blue states and restaurant employees?
McConnell was in a position to prevent a vote on a package of this nature when he was Majority Leader. Now, he isn’t. I will be surprised if it doesn’t happen.