And then the Trumpsters on VN had no idea what to say....

[MontyPython]

If the US economy collapses then diplomacy will be worth less than the paper it's printed on. This country needs to handle itself first and then worry about other countries we want to control

True. Getting rid of our Child-in-Chief achieves a large percentage of that goal.

 

[Y9 Vol]

Link?

Good God...it is common knowledge as to the breakdown of the funds in this package. Do your own research and them come back and join THIS conversation...not a general budget conversation.

 

[lukeneyland]

Sending $$$ to other countries is not corruption, it's called foreign diplomacy. We do it for good reasons that are self-serving for the United States. If you don't get this, I can't help you.

Presenting a bill to the public as a stimulus while packing it with hundreds of millions so we can play nation builder is certainly corruption

 

[C-south]

True. Getting rid of our Child-in-Chief achieves a large percentage of that goal.

I’m sure Joe will the things to put Americans first. I hear he’s already working to open the refugee gates.

 

[lukeneyland]

Agree with you 100%. BUT, Pakistan is not like our country... it's torn between western ideals and theocracy. Alot of middle eastern countries struggle with this, and they often go back and forth in dramatic struggles that make our democratic/republican administration changes pale in comparison. For all we know, only a few people in the government (or the country, for that matter) knew about Bin Laden's whereabouts. Need proof? Given the $25 million reward on his head, plenty of Pakistanis would have jumped at the chance to claim that - had they known about him being there.

We’ve been down this road many times for the last 40 years or more. The US trying to inject it’s values on these people just doesn’t work. How many government factions have we supported over the years for one reason or another only to see the dog come off the leash? It doesn’t work, it’s ridiculously expensive and it gets Hundreds of thousands of people killed. We haven’t succeeded at nation building since after the Korean War.

 

[lukeneyland]

Agree with you 100%. BUT, Pakistan is not like our country... it's torn between western ideals and theocracy. Alot of middle eastern countries struggle with this, and they often go back and forth in dramatic struggles that make our democratic/republican administration changes pale in comparison. For all we know, only a few people in the government (or the country, for that matter) knew about Bin Laden's whereabouts. Need proof? Given the $25 million reward on his head, plenty of Pakistanis would have jumped at the chance to claim that - had they known about him being there.

To the culpability part. You might be right but 25 million wouldn’t have done much for a dead man, I think it’s plausible that some knew but were too terrified to anything. I think it’s also plausible that many knew and supported him being there, Muslim fanatics will fly planes into buildings so I don’t imagine they would be all that phased by 25 million. Whatever the case may be it’s indisputable that the countries higher authorities knew about it, which again is part of the reason why sending them money is idiotic

 

[utvolpj]

True. Getting rid of our Child-in-Chief achieves a large percentage of that goal.

For a dementia patient with zero achievements besides getting elected. Yeah, were really moving on up in the world. They love us so much we have to pay them to play with us

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Ironically, they'd probably say the same thing about us.

After all, who bombs more people in the world... USA or Pakistan?

During or after the Obama administration?

 

[MontyPython]

First of all, I was not the one that even made the foreign country remark. But as it pertains to this stimulus, which is the actual subject of this thread, 90 % of THIS money IS going out of the country!!

You are completely and utterly full of SH*T.

I now understand why you're a Trump supporter, as you simply live in an imaginary world. I'll bet you and Giuliani love trading war stories in your mom's basement.

Here are the actual facts:

Breaking down the $900B stimulus package and $1.4T omnibus bill

The legislation offers a wide range of help, both for individuals and for struggling elements of the economy, from mass transit to movie theaters.
Congressional leaders on Monday unveiled the text of a $900 billion fiscal stimulus package and a $1.4 trillion government funding deal that will deliver critical pandemic aid to millions of Americans and pad federal agency budgets through next September.

The colossal year-end package — approved by the House and then the Senate on Monday night — will provide another round of direct payments, enhanced unemployment benefits and billions of dollars for struggling industries in what still amounts to a less generous package than the $3 trillion response mounted at the beginning of the pandemic. Unemployment benefits expire in mid-March, likely setting up another deadline for additional congressional action early next year.

The bipartisan, bicameral year-end package also includes a dozen annual appropriations bills that, if passed, would ward off a government funding fight at the onset of the Biden administration.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s inside the massive year-end compromise:

$166 billion in direct checks

Individuals making up to $75,000 a year will receive a payment of $600, while couples making up to $150,000 will receive $1,200, in addition to $600 per child. The deal also makes the stimulus checks more accessible to immigrant families. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Monday that the checks could go out as soon as next week.

$120 billion in extra unemployment help

Jobless workers will get an extra $300 per week in federal cash through March 14. The legislation also extends employment benefits to self-employed individuals, gig workers and those who’ve exhausted their state benefits.

$325 billion small business boost

Pandemic-ravaged small businesses would see a total of $325 billion, including $284 billion in loans through the Paycheck Protection Program, $20 billion for businesses in low-income communities and $15 billion for struggling live venues, movie theaters and museums — a major priority for Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. The small business aid is only expected to cover less than three months of payroll costs, however, while many employers don’t expect to resume normal operations for more than six months.

Finding common ground on the Fed

After lots of intense bickering over the weekend, lawmakers agreed on language that will prevent the Treasury secretary from restarting emergency lending programs created by the CARES Act, as well as from designing any new programs that look the same as the ones that are ending.

Totaling tax breaks

The legislation allows businesses to deduct expenses associated with their forgiven PPP loans, in addition to expanding the employee retention credit intended to prevent layoffs. It includes a two-year tax break for business meals — a priority for President Donald Trump — and rolls over a variety of temporary tax breaks known as “extenders,” some for multiple years. The package also extends a payroll tax subsidy for employers offering workers paid sick leave and boosts the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Border wall status quo

The government funding portion of the year-end package would maintain nearly $1.4 billion in cash for Trump’s southern border wall, in addition to $20 million for new border processing coordinators. The bill also includes $15 billion for Customs and Border Protection, nearly $8 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and $840 million in emergency cash to help ports of entry cover revenue losses during the pandemic. There’s no new funding for an increased number of border patrol agents or immigration enforcement personnel.

$45 billion in transportation aid

That includes $15 billion to help airlines maintain their payrolls, $14 billion for mass transit, $10 billion for state highways, $2 billion for airports and $1 billion for Amtrak.

An extension for state spending

State and local governments now have until Dec. 31, 2021 to spend aid provided by the CARES Act.

Food and farmer assistance

The year-end package includes $13 billion to bolster food stamp benefits by 15 percent, although it doesn’t expand SNAP eligibility. Farmers and ranchers will also see another $13 billion round of direct payments to help cover pandemic-induced losses.

‘Surprise billing’ deal

The omnibus includes an agreement to protect patients from receiving “surprise” medical bills after last-minute haggling — a major priority for retiring Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.). As POLITICO reported earlier this month, shielding insured patients from eye-popping medical bills for unexpected out-of-network and emergency care has been a bipartisan priority for lawmakers, but progress had been stalled for over a year.

Billions for vaccines, testing and tracing

The package includes $20 billion for the purchase of vaccines, nearly $9 billion for vaccine distribution and about $22 billion to help states with testing, tracing and Covid-19 mitigation programs. The legislation also includes $5 million for testing in the Capitol Building. The National Strategic Stockpile would receive more than $3 billion.

Funding for funeral expenses

About $2 billion will be set aside for FEMA to distribute to states in order to help families with coronavirus-related funeral expenses through the end of this month, waiving a 25 percent state match requirement.

Restoring Medicaid for the Marshallese

Tens of thousands of Marshall Islanders will be allowed to sign up for Medicaid, with the year-end agreement revising a drafting mistake in the 1996 welfare reform bill that barred the islanders from the program. The problem was detailed in a series of POLITICO stories this year.

Rental aid and an eviction ban

Of the $25 billion in federal rental assistance, $800 million is set aside for Native American housing entities. A federal eviction ban has been extended through the end of January.

Infusion for schools and child care

Included in the $82 billion total for colleges and universities is more than $4 billion for a governors’ relief fund, more than $54 billion for public K-12 schools and nearly $23 billion for a higher education fund. Separately, the child care sector will receive about $10 billion in emergency cash.

Higher education compromise

The legislation includes a bipartisan agreement to forgive nearly $1.3 billion in federal loans to historically Black colleges and universities, deliver Pell grants to incarcerated students after a 26-year ban and simplify financial aid forms — the last of those three has been a long-time priority for the retiring Alexander. The deal would also repeal a 1998 law that prohibits students convicted of drug offenses from receiving federal financial aid.

Major anti-busing action

Lawmakers eliminated a last remaining vestige of the incendiary anti-busing fights of the 1970s, including language that nixes a prohibition on the use of federal funds for transportation costs to carry out school desegregation efforts.

Pay boost for troops

The omnibus portion of the year-end package includes a 3 percent military pay raise. It also preserves a 1 percent pay raise for federal civilian employees next year.

Cash for another Virginia-class sub

The fiscal 2021 funding bill for the Pentagon includes $2.3 billion for a second Virginia-class attack submarine, a major priority for lawmakers who've agitated for the construction of two attack subs per year.

A nod to new museums

The legislation authorizes a Smithsonian Women’s History Museum and the National Museum of the American Latino on or near the National Mall after Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) blocked bipartisan legislation earlier this month that would establish the museums.

Keeping contractor relief

The package continues a CARES Act program that allows contractors to keep employees on the payroll even if federal facilities close.

Restricting access to e-cigarettes

Incoming House Appropriations Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) secured a win with the inclusion of legislation that requires in-person age verification when online purchases of e-cigarette and vaping products are delivered.

A variety of reauthorizations

The government funding piece includes a compromise version of an annual intelligence authorization bill and ensures that a major water infrastructure package will hitch a ride to passage. It also includes technical corrections to the United States-Mexico-Canada-Agreement.

A boon for broadband

The agreement invests $7 billion to increase expand broadband access for students, families and unemployed workers, including $300 million for rural broadband and $250 million for telehealth.

Personnel office stays independent

The legislation blocks the Trump administration’s plan to merge most of the functions of the Office of Personnel Management into the General Services Administration, a proposal decried by unions representing federal workers.

 

[MontyPython]

We’ve been down this road many times for the last 40 years or more. The US trying to inject it’s values on these people just doesn’t work. How many government factions have we supported over the years for one reason or another only to see the dog come off the leash? It doesn’t work, it’s ridiculously expensive and it gets Hundreds of thousands of people killed. We haven’t succeeded at nation building since after the Korean War.

That's because "nation building" (i.e. imposing our values on another country and spending bazillions along the way) is crap policy.

 

[MontyPython]

During or after the Obama administration?

Surely you're not suggesting we didn't bomb the pajebus out of a number of countries during Trump's reign.

 

[Velo Vol]

Has the Senate GOP agreed to the $2,000 yet?

 

[Y9 Vol]

You are completely and utterly full of SH*T.

I now understand why you're a Trump supporter, as you simply live in an imaginary world. I'll bet you and Giuliani love trading war stories in your mom's basement.

Here are the actual facts:

Breaking down the $900B stimulus package and $1.4T omnibus bill

The legislation offers a wide range of help, both for individuals and for struggling elements of the economy, from mass transit to movie theaters.
Congressional leaders on Monday unveiled the text of a $900 billion fiscal stimulus package and a $1.4 trillion government funding deal that will deliver critical pandemic aid to millions of Americans and pad federal agency budgets through next September.

The colossal year-end package — approved by the House and then the Senate on Monday night — will provide another round of direct payments, enhanced unemployment benefits and billions of dollars for struggling industries in what still amounts to a less generous package than the $3 trillion response mounted at the beginning of the pandemic. Unemployment benefits expire in mid-March, likely setting up another deadline for additional congressional action early next year.

The bipartisan, bicameral year-end package also includes a dozen annual appropriations bills that, if passed, would ward off a government funding fight at the onset of the Biden administration.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s inside the massive year-end compromise:

$166 billion in direct checks

Individuals making up to $75,000 a year will receive a payment of $600, while couples making up to $150,000 will receive $1,200, in addition to $600 per child. The deal also makes the stimulus checks more accessible to immigrant families. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Monday that the checks could go out as soon as next week.

$120 billion in extra unemployment help

Jobless workers will get an extra $300 per week in federal cash through March 14. The legislation also extends employment benefits to self-employed individuals, gig workers and those who’ve exhausted their state benefits.

$325 billion small business boost

Pandemic-ravaged small businesses would see a total of $325 billion, including $284 billion in loans through the Paycheck Protection Program, $20 billion for businesses in low-income communities and $15 billion for struggling live venues, movie theaters and museums — a major priority for Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. The small business aid is only expected to cover less than three months of payroll costs, however, while many employers don’t expect to resume normal operations for more than six months.

Finding common ground on the Fed

After lots of intense bickering over the weekend, lawmakers agreed on language that will prevent the Treasury secretary from restarting emergency lending programs created by the CARES Act, as well as from designing any new programs that look the same as the ones that are ending.

Totaling tax breaks

The legislation allows businesses to deduct expenses associated with their forgiven PPP loans, in addition to expanding the employee retention credit intended to prevent layoffs. It includes a two-year tax break for business meals — a priority for President Donald Trump — and rolls over a variety of temporary tax breaks known as “extenders,” some for multiple years. The package also extends a payroll tax subsidy for employers offering workers paid sick leave and boosts the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Border wall status quo

The government funding portion of the year-end package would maintain nearly $1.4 billion in cash for Trump’s southern border wall, in addition to $20 million for new border processing coordinators. The bill also includes $15 billion for Customs and Border Protection, nearly $8 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and $840 million in emergency cash to help ports of entry cover revenue losses during the pandemic. There’s no new funding for an increased number of border patrol agents or immigration enforcement personnel.

$45 billion in transportation aid

That includes $15 billion to help airlines maintain their payrolls, $14 billion for mass transit, $10 billion for state highways, $2 billion for airports and $1 billion for Amtrak.

An extension for state spending

State and local governments now have until Dec. 31, 2021 to spend aid provided by the CARES Act.

Food and farmer assistance

The year-end package includes $13 billion to bolster food stamp benefits by 15 percent, although it doesn’t expand SNAP eligibility. Farmers and ranchers will also see another $13 billion round of direct payments to help cover pandemic-induced losses.

‘Surprise billing’ deal

The omnibus includes an agreement to protect patients from receiving “surprise” medical bills after last-minute haggling — a major priority for retiring Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.). As POLITICO reported earlier this month, shielding insured patients from eye-popping medical bills for unexpected out-of-network and emergency care has been a bipartisan priority for lawmakers, but progress had been stalled for over a year.

Billions for vaccines, testing and tracing

The package includes $20 billion for the purchase of vaccines, nearly $9 billion for vaccine distribution and about $22 billion to help states with testing, tracing and Covid-19 mitigation programs. The legislation also includes $5 million for testing in the Capitol Building. The National Strategic Stockpile would receive more than $3 billion.

Funding for funeral expenses

About $2 billion will be set aside for FEMA to distribute to states in order to help families with coronavirus-related funeral expenses through the end of this month, waiving a 25 percent state match requirement.

Restoring Medicaid for the Marshallese

Tens of thousands of Marshall Islanders will be allowed to sign up for Medicaid, with the year-end agreement revising a drafting mistake in the 1996 welfare reform bill that barred the islanders from the program. The problem was detailed in a series of POLITICO stories this year.

Rental aid and an eviction ban

Of the $25 billion in federal rental assistance, $800 million is set aside for Native American housing entities. A federal eviction ban has been extended through the end of January.

Infusion for schools and child care

Included in the $82 billion total for colleges and universities is more than $4 billion for a governors’ relief fund, more than $54 billion for public K-12 schools and nearly $23 billion for a higher education fund. Separately, the child care sector will receive about $10 billion in emergency cash.

Higher education compromise

The legislation includes a bipartisan agreement to forgive nearly $1.3 billion in federal loans to historically Black colleges and universities, deliver Pell grants to incarcerated students after a 26-year ban and simplify financial aid forms — the last of those three has been a long-time priority for the retiring Alexander. The deal would also repeal a 1998 law that prohibits students convicted of drug offenses from receiving federal financial aid.

Major anti-busing action

Lawmakers eliminated a last remaining vestige of the incendiary anti-busing fights of the 1970s, including language that nixes a prohibition on the use of federal funds for transportation costs to carry out school desegregation efforts.

Pay boost for troops

The omnibus portion of the year-end package includes a 3 percent military pay raise. It also preserves a 1 percent pay raise for federal civilian employees next year.

Cash for another Virginia-class sub

The fiscal 2021 funding bill for the Pentagon includes $2.3 billion for a second Virginia-class attack submarine, a major priority for lawmakers who've agitated for the construction of two attack subs per year.

A nod to new museums

The legislation authorizes a Smithsonian Women’s History Museum and the National Museum of the American Latino on or near the National Mall after Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) blocked bipartisan legislation earlier this month that would establish the museums.

Keeping contractor relief

The package continues a CARES Act program that allows contractors to keep employees on the payroll even if federal facilities close.

Restricting access to e-cigarettes

Incoming House Appropriations Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) secured a win with the inclusion of legislation that requires in-person age verification when online purchases of e-cigarette and vaping products are delivered.

A variety of reauthorizations

The government funding piece includes a compromise version of an annual intelligence authorization bill and ensures that a major water infrastructure package will hitch a ride to passage. It also includes technical corrections to the United States-Mexico-Canada-Agreement.

A boon for broadband

The agreement invests $7 billion to increase expand broadband access for students, families and unemployed workers, including $300 million for rural broadband and $250 million for telehealth.

Personnel office stays independent

The legislation blocks the Trump administration’s plan to merge most of the functions of the Office of Personnel Management into the General Services Administration, a proposal decried by unions representing federal workers.

Now do what is going to foreign countries there Skippy.

 

[imw8n4u]

So you don't think the Presidents #1 priority should be looking out for the good of America??

The President should honor his or her oath to the constitution, I'm saying that's not what Trump did as president.

 

[Y9 Vol]

Since you are only posting half the truth.

 

[Velo Vol]

 

[MontyPython]

Now do what is going to foreign countries there Skippy.

Christ. That's it, bro.

THE END.

There's no fixing stupid.

 

[rocytop2624]

Trump just threatened to veto the stimulus bill unless Congress amends it to make the personal checks $2k to $4k, up from the $600 in the bill.

Wow. What are Trumpsters going to say now??? They CLAIM to hate spending. They CLAIM to hate aid to folks that could work. They CLAIM such spending is a work disincentive.

Trumpsters scrambling to come up with a way to say he's not a complete lunatic.

Good take the millions out for the Kennedy center and the millions going to Pakistan to learn about sexual gender and the other pork and give it to the people.

 

[TheColdVolTruth]

Since you are only posting half the truth.

You said 90% of this stimulus bill was going out of the country. The bill is $900B. To validate your assertion, you just proudly shared a graphic that shows roughly $5B going to foreign funding. 90% of $900B is $810B. Your graphic yields your assertion is about $805B short of being accurate.

Also, the $900B stimulus bill has been joined to the $1.4T government spending bill from which much of the foreign and domestic aid is coming from. I'm certainly not arguing on behalf of spending money on either foreign or domestic causes, but your 90% number isn't even close.

 

[rocytop2624]

He's mad that Pakistan got 10 million for gender studies instead of him, so he could figure out what he is. Seriously, how in the crap is that covid relief?

I looked it up they beat women and don't help them. Now pay me 10 million.

 

[Y9 Vol]

You said 90% of this stimulus bill was going out of the country. The bill is $900B. To validate your assertion, you just proudly shared a graphic that shows roughly $5B going to foreign funding. 90% of $900B is $810B. Your graphic yields your assertion is about $805B short of being accurate.

Also, the $900B stimulus bill has been joined to the $1.4T government spending bill from which much of the foreign and domestic aid is coming from. I'm certainly not arguing on behalf of spending money on either foreign or domestic causes, but your 90% number isn't even close.

Yes, I exaggerated...shoot me.

 

[Y9 Vol]

Christ. That's it, bro.

THE END.

There's no fixing stupid.

"WRONG"

 

[Y9 Vol]

Good, maybe they will go back to work.

 

[SpaceCoastVol]

Trump just threatened to veto the stimulus bill unless Congress amends it to make the personal checks $2k to $4k, up from the $600 in the bill.

Wow. What are Trumpsters going to say now??? They CLAIM to hate spending. They CLAIM to hate aid to folks that could work. They CLAIM such spending is a work disincentive.

Trumpsters scrambling to come up with a way to say he's not a complete lunatic.

It should be the easiest veto ever.

 

[SpaceCoastVol]

Spot on. Please offer a reasonably alternative opinion

veto it, recall the congress and remove all the pork for foreign entities and crap like the Kennedy Center.

Easy. You just like it because it contains democrat pork. It does nothing for American people.