A group of House Democrats is calling for answers on reported delays in getting the current round of $1,400 direct payments under the recently passed $1.9 trillion coronavirus stimulus plan to people who do not have to file a tax return, including veterans and some Social Security beneficiaries.
In a letter released on Twitter by one of the Democrats who signed it, Rep. Bill Pascrell
William (Bill) James PascrellLawmakers can't reconcile weakening the SALT cap with progressive goals Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter celebrate 75th anniversary, longest-married presidential couple Jan. 6 probe poised to spill into 2022, with no complaints from Democrats MORE (N.J.), the lawmakers ask the heads of the IRS and Social Security Administration (SSA) to issue the stimulus payments with speed.
"The American Rescue Plan was intended to provide much-needed economic stimulus and assistance to people across the country — immediately — and we are counting on your agencies to ensure that beneficiaries are not left behind in the seamless delivery of those payments," wrote the Democrats, who also included House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal
Richard Edmund NealOn The Money: Justice Department says Trump's tax returns should be released | Democrats fall short of votes for extending eviction ban Justice Department says Trump's tax returns should be released Democrats release data showing increase in 'mega-IRA' accounts MORE (Mass.), and Reps. John Larson
John Barry LarsonThe case for improving America's research and experimentation tax credit To encourage innovation, Congress should pass two bills protecting important R&D tax provision Democrats have a growing tax problem with SALT MORE (Conn.) and Danny Davis
Daniel (Danny) K. DavisLobbying world House candidate in Chicago says gun violence prompted her to run Longtime Illinois Rep. Danny K. Davis gets Justice Democrats-backed primary challenger MORE (Ill.).
This evening we are demanding immediate answers from the IRS and Social Security Admin why they’re taking so damn long sending stimulus payments to many Social Security, SSI, and VA recipients. This money needs to go out NOW. pic.twitter.com/kCG3ipVZZA
— Bill Pascrell, Jr. (@BillPascrell) March 22, 2021
In a subsequent tweet, Pascrell blamed the slow pace of direct payments to veterans and Social Security beneficiaries on "Trump appointees" who he argued were working to dismantle the Social Security system.
"Their inability to get out stimulus checks is another reason they need to be shown the exit," he said.
A few weeks ago I called for President Biden
— Bill Pascrell, Jr. (@BillPascrell) March 22, 2021Joe BidenGOP report on COVID-19 origins homes in on lab leak theory READ: The .2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Senators introduce bipartisan infrastructure bill in rare Sunday session MORE to fire the trump appointees trying to dismantle Social Security. Their inability to get out stimulus checks is another reason they need to be shown the exit. pic.twitter.com/0JxKhiKjeO
Stimulus checks began rolling out the door after President Biden signed the nearly $2 trillion American Rescue Plan into law earlier this month. Along with the direct payments, the plan includes a child tax credit as well as extensions to unemployment benefits and aid for state and local governments as they work to distribute COVID-19 vaccines.
