FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentuckians could lose out on an extra $5 billion if Congress doesn’t approve $2,000 direct payments.
What You Need To Know
- Gov. Andy Beshear criticizes McConnell for blocking vote on $2,000 payments
- As it stands now, Kentucky will receive more than $5 billion from the federal relief package
- More than $2.2 billion to come from direct $600 payments in original bill
- Funding also going towards elementary education, higher education, additional unemployment benefits, more
Gov. Andy Beshear criticized Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for blocking an immediate vote on the payments Tuesday while running down how much Kentucky will get from the new coronavirus relief package.
“I bet every single one of our Kentucky families think an extra $5 billion dollars going into struggling families’ bank accounts would be a good thing not only for that family and their kids but also the economy,” Beshear said. “The House has already voted for it. The president wants to sign it. The Senate is the only thing standing in the way of $5 billion going to our families or not.”
As it stands now, Kentucky will receive more than $5 billion from the federal relief package, including more than $2.2 billion from the direct $600 payments approved in the original bill.
Other highlights for Kentucky included in the federal coronavirus relief bill: $928 million for elementary education, $261 million for higher education, up to $489 million in additional unemployment benefits, and $297 million for rent and utility assistance.
Kentucky will also receive $289 million for coronavirus testing, tracing, and mitigation, plus nearly $57 million for vaccine distributions.
“This act didn’t do everything that I hoped that it would, but it is of significant help to fighting this virus, to getting back on our feet, and helping our families that are struggling,” Beshear said.
The governor also said he’s going to add more coronavirus relief in his budget proposal, which he plans on unveiling next week as lawmakers return to session.
McConnell objected to a procedural move Thursday that would’ve meant a quick vote on the $2,000 direct payment proposal from the House. He said he wants to include changes to protections for tech companies and voting integrity measures with direct payments.
“$2,000 checks to help the American people have nothing to do with liability for tech companies or the last election. Nothing,” Beshear said. “And so to tie them together, at best, is some strategic political move.”
Beshear also announced Pfizer and Moderna will send an additional 53,000 vaccines next week. The state was allocated 202,000 for the month of December.