Mucarsel-Powell NEW Constituent Survey Reveals Overwhelming Support For Second Round Of Direct Stimulus Checks

Press Release

Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26), member of the Congressional Coronavirus Task Force, released results of a week-long survey conducted by her office to gauge constituent experiences with the first round of Economic Impact Payments (EIPs), which provided a maximum payment of $1,200 per individual. After receiving hundreds of desperate phone calls to her office from South Floridians who had issues getting their checks, Mucarsel-Powell was compelled to measure overall public opinion.

Within a week of release, 1,074 recipients responded with their perspective. Many respondents eligible for checks had still not received their EIP payments by the end of May. At the time of the survey, 33% of those eligible for an EIP had not yet received a check. Further, 40% of those surveyed felt somewhat negative or very negative about how the IRS had handled the dispensation of the checks.

"These stimulus checks have been a lifeline to South Floridians, but one payment is not enough to help individuals and families get through this ongoing heath and economic crisis," said Mucarsel-Powell. "I've been hearing from constituents that they are still struggling to make ends meet as the national unemployment rate has soared into double digits and our country has officially entered into a recession. I urge my colleagues to work in a bipartisan manner to get much-needed aid in the pockets of struggling families--starting with the Heroes Act, which is sitting on Mitch McConnell's desk, and would provide direct payments and extend unemployment assistance before it expires at the end of next month."

The prolonged economic crisis has heightened calls for a second round of EIP checks. 81% of survey respondents showed support for another stimulus payment for Americans in future legislation, while only 6% did not. 80% of survey respondents said the stimulus money is very important to their current financial situation.

The money was by-and-large used for crucial necessities. 56% of respondents used stimulus money to make monthly bills such as rent, mortgage and utilities, and 20% used stimulus money for day to day essentials like food, medicine, or supplies. Overall, of those surveyed, EIPs supported over 40% of recipients for a month or more.

Key Survey Findings:

81% support another stimulus payment for Americans in future legislation:
80% of recipients said the stimulus money is very important to their current financial situation.
33% of those who are eligible say have not yet received their stimulus check.
40% of recipients feel somewhat negative or very negative about how the IRS handled the processing of stimulus checks.

How long the stimulus check supported eligible recipients:
14% - Over one month
27% - One month
22% - 2 to 3 weeks
7% - 1 week
5% - A few days
25% - Other/ineligible

What stimulus money was used for by eligible recipients:
56% - Monthly bills such as rent/mortgage/utilities
20% - Day to day essentials like food, medicine, or supplies
3% - Savings
5% - Debt
1% - Discretionary/non-essential spending (travel, recreation, etc.)
1% - Investing
11% - Other

A downloadable video of Mucarsel-Powell's floor statement prior to voting on the Heroes Act can be found here.

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