Newman: $600 direct payments aren’t enough

U.S. Rep.-elect Marie Newman said the $600 direct payments included in the COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress aren’t enough to truly help struggling Americans.

Newman, D-La Grange, made the argument for larger direct checks to Americans in an email to supporters this week and blamed Republicans for the watered down legislation.

“As Democrats in Congress have been fighting for necessary relief, Mitch McConnell and his buddies have constantly opposed any proposal to support working families over corporate interests,” Newman said in the email.

She added that it was because of “Republican obstruction” that the bill Congress passed “is not nearly enough to meet the challenges faced by so many families.”

Newman also pointed to President Donald Trump’s recent calls to increase the checks to $2,000. Democrats have jumped on Trump’s criticism to pressure Congressional Republicans to increase the amount.

“Now, after months of ignoring the national health crisis in favor of election conspiracy theories, Trump is suddenly on board with what many Democrats have wanted since the beginning,” she said.

She said Republican leaders are the only ones standing in the way of relief “that could determine whether folks can pay rent and feed their families.”

Newman was elected to represent the 3rd Congressional District last month. The district includes parts of Crest Hill, Homer Glen, Lockport and Romeoville.

She recently announced her appointment to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.