On the recordMarch 5, 2021
I rise on behalf of myself and Senators Cotton and Cruz. Our amendment prevents $1,400 stimulus checks from going to inmates. You heard that right. This bill sends $1,400 stimulus checks to people incarcerated for heinous crimes. Prisoners have all their living and medical expenses paid for by the taxpayer. They don't pay taxes. They don't contribute to the tax base. They can't be unemployed. In other words, inmates are not economically impacted by COVID, and inmates cannot stimulate the economy. But under this bill, Democrats are giving prisoners--again, sometimes incarcerated for heinous crimes--a $1,400 stimulus check. If we eliminate these, we save taxpayers $1.9 billion. Now, I know my Democratic colleagues aren't going to agree, but this spending should be on real needs. Stimulus checks for inmates is nontargeted, inappropriate, and is a total waste of money. I ask my colleagues to support the amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Illinois.
