5pm Stimulus Bill Reaction 12.21.2020

C1 3 tonight...congress could pass the much awaited second stimulus bill...negotiators agreed on yesterday.

It's an almost $1 trillion relief package with money for education...testing.

..gear...and more.

Abc 36's alex king tells us how it could help you...and some politicians.

Steven: "to work for eight months and this is what they came up with, i think this is a little bit... paltry is the word to use."

The agreement congressional leaders announced... would establish a temporary $300 per week supplemental jobless benefit and a $600 direct stimulus payment to most americans, along with a new round of subsidies for hard-hit businesses and money for schools, health care providers and renters facing eviction.

Steven murphy... says he didn't receive the first round of stimulus checks because of his income and he doesn't believe he'll receive this second round.

But he says for those in need of extra help... including his daughter... it isn't enough.

Steven: "i don't think the total is enough.

900 million is a big number but to leave state and local governments out... i think is a big mistake."

Murphy says he doesn't want to see more people laid off.

He says hopefully the new presidential administration can help create a better plan.

Abc 36 political analyst dr. stephen voss says the first round didn't help the economy much... but this next round could.

Stephen: "keep in mind that the poorest people are not only getting 600 dollars.

First, the amount of money you get depends on the size of your family.

Second, if you're unemployed, you also are getting extended unemployment benefits and if you're having trouble keeping your housing, you're also getting housing benefits."

He says instead of one lump sum... it's spread out over a series of programs based on specific needs.

And dr. voss says it won't just help you... the stimulus bill has something for almost everyone politically.

Stephen: "it means that president trump gets to go out having demanded more benefits for individual people and families.

It means joe biden will be inhereting an economy that's a little better off than it might have been if the bill hadn't passed."

He says this agreement will mostly hurt leaders in states and cities with large workforces because...as murphy worried...they're left out of the agreement.

Alex king, abc 36 news.