White House Looking at Second Round of Direct Payments to Americans: Adviser

Kevin Hassett, chair of the council of economic advisers, speaks at the White House briefing in Washington on Nov. 17, 2017. Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times

The White House is looking to issue more direct payments to Americans during the CCP virus pandemic, according to a top adviser.

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett told reporters on Tuesday that people who qualify could receive another direct payment or check. It comes after some Americans received up to $1,200 in stimulus payments earlier in the month.

“I think that’s something we’re studying very carefully,” he said. “It’s very likely there’ll be a phase-four deal and we’re going to be speaking with the president throughout the week about what he thinks should be in there, and I know that Senator McConnell and Speaker Pelosi are working on that as well,” Hassett said, referring to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

He said the odds of there “not being another” round of direct payments are “pretty low.” He didn’t say how much people would get paid.

Under the $2.2 trillion stimulus bill passed in March, individuals could get up to $1,200 payments, couples could get up to $2,400, and children could receive $500. People who make over $75,000 a year will get smaller payments, dropping 5 percent of every dollar above $75,000, or $50 for every $1,000.

The payments were authorized amid nationwide closures of businesses, triggering a historic wave of layoffs and furloughs, in a bid to curb the spread of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

Earlier, Hassett told CNN he expects the U.S. unemployment rate to surge to 16 percent to 20 percent by June, following by a rebound.

“I’m not saying we’re going to have a Great Depression, but I am saying prepare yourself,” Hassett said. “GDP tomorrow will probably be a negative number and that will be the tip of the iceberg of a few months of negative news that’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen.”