HEROES or HEALS? The stimulus debate.

KEY THEMES

Politics
Economy
Public Health

location

United States

KEY SOURCES

HEROES Act
HEALS Act

WHY THIS QUESTION MATTERS: 

Stay at home orders, business closures, and other social distancing measures aimed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 have had severe economic ramifications. On March 27th, 2020, Congress passed the CARES Act, which is the largest stimulus package in history, to help support small businesses, workers, state and local governments, etc.

Since then, there has been an ongoing debate regarding additional stimulus packages. Two proposals have emerged. The HEROES Act, which was introduced in the House, and the HEALS Act, which was introduced in the Senate. While both packages aim to prop up a lagging economy, support for the bills has become a partisan issue. The President took executive action this past weekend to attempt 'to provide financial security to Americans' and bypass the stalemate between the vying stimulus bills. Get the facts on the bills below and decide where you land.

THE COMMON THREAD:

Leaders across the political spectrum believe more stimulus is needed.

FIND YOUR THREAD:

Supporters of the HEALS Act say that it protects small businesses and provides a more reasonable level of unemployment assistance. Supporters of the HEROES Act say that it better protects the unemployed and provides greater assistance for housing and voting issues.

What do you think?

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