President Trump and lawmakers are embracing the idea of cutting checks to millions of Americans as they scramble to revive the economy.
Lawmakers are floating myriad potential proposals as the growing spread of the coronavirus is taking a greater toll on financial markets and grinding key industries such as restaurants and airlines to a halt.
In a boost to its prospects, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he wants to start sending checks out within two weeks, indicating it should be in the third coronavirus package Congress is currently negotiating.
“Although the president likes the idea of the payroll tax holiday … we’re looking at sending checks to Americans immediately,” Mnuchin said during a press conference at the White House. He pitched GOP lawmakers on a plan expected to top $1 trillion.