House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) says it may be time to consider a form of universal basic income for Americans suffering financially amid the coronavirus outbreak.
“Others have suggested a minimum income for — a guaranteed income for people. Is that worthy of attention now? Perhaps so, because there are many more people than just in small business and hired by small business,” Pelosi said during an interview on MSNBC on Monday morning.
She continued, “As important as that is to the vitality of our economy, and other people who are not in the public sector to meeting our needs in so many ways that may need some assistance as well.”
Watch the video below:
"Others have suggested a minimum income, a guaranteed income for people.
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) April 27, 2020
Is that worthy of attention now?
Perhaps so."
— @SpeakerPelosi suggests she's open to the idea of a universal basic income. pic.twitter.com/BnKwq4I68H
Last month, Congress passed a massive $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill that established a program to give small businesses loans to pay their employees through the coronavirus shutdowns— which would convert to a grant if they use all the money for their payrolls.
Additionally, the bill provided $1,200 checks to individuals who earn less than $75,000 a year.
Pelosi is not the first Democrat to propose such legislation. Several Democrats have proposed giving Americans $2,000 a month.
Pelosi’s comments come as the latest reports find that more than 26 million Americans have filed for unemployment since the coronavirus forced the economy to grind to a halt.