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 PascrellWilliam (Bill) James PascrellLawmakers launch bipartisan caucus on SALT deduction Five hurdles Democrats face to pass an infrastructure bill Progressives fight for leverage amid ever-slimming majority 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 NealRichard Edmund NealTrump lawyers argue NY tax return law no longer applies to him Democrats offer competing tax ideas on Biden infrastructure Top Democrat calling for expansion of child care support MORE (Mass.), and Reps. John Larson
John Barry LarsonTo encourage innovation, Congress should pass two bills protecting important R&D tax provision Democrats have a growing tax problem with SALT On The Money: Social Security gives IRS data for COVID-19 relief checks | Senate passes bill heading off Medicare cuts MORE (Conn.) and Danny Davis
Daniel (Danny) K. DavisDemocrats have a growing tax problem with SALT Social Security gives IRS data to speed delivery of COVID-19 relief checks House Democrats demand answers on slow ,400 checks 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 BidenBiden administration still seizing land near border despite plans to stop building wall: report Olympics, climate on the agenda for Biden meeting with Japanese PM Boehner on Afghanistan: 'It's time to pull out the troops' 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.