The GOP's anti-stimulus rallying cry: What happened to the unspent $1 trillion?

[DonViejo]

Much of the aid money was designed to be spent gradually, economists say. And the country still needs more.

By MEGAN CASSELLA

02/27/2021 07:00 AM EST

Republicans opposed to President Joe Biden’s economic relief proposal have settled on a central line of attack: Congress shouldn’t spend more money when $1 trillion in aid allocated last year hasn't even been doled out.

It’s a criticism meant to underscore their argument that the resurgent U.S. economy doesn’t need another giant influx of cash, and certainly not the $1.9 trillion package that Biden is seeking — a view that some Democrats like former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers also embrace.

“Is it not too much to ask what the current administration plans to do with the $1 trillion in unspent taxpayer funds, especially before we toss another $2 trillion onto that pile?” said Rep. Ted Budd (R-N.C.). “This is a basic question that would come up during a family budget discussion, with a lot less zeroes.”

GOP lawmakers are seeking to stoke public concern over the extraordinary levels of federal support: $4 trillion in aid enacted last year, almost $2 trillion more about to be approved, and another multitrillion-dollar proposal expected in the coming months. It's a strategy that worked a decade ago, when deficit fears spawned the Tea Party movement, which eventually stalled much of President Barack Obama's agenda.

more
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/27/gop-coronavirus-stimulus-471815

[HUAJIAO]

1. They spend and waste, we try to fix. They accuse us of spending and wasting - rinse and repeat...

[Iliyah]

2. Wasn't that on shithole's watch? . . .

I'll say most of it went into republican's pockets.

[The Magistrate]

3. Still saying, Sir, That 'Tea-Party' Loons Were Up In Arms Over Deficeits?

Fella must need accompaniment when out of doors to see he doesn't play in traffic or pet tigers....

[musclecar6]

4. The Democrats

Think big picture and make balanced decisions. The Deplorable Party only cares about the 1 percent and to hell with the “ Little People”. That’s why they love the recently kicked out garbage, cause they are just like him.

[rampartc]

5. that money was given to mnuchin and kushner with "discretionary authority"

if i remember correctly. a textbook example of "how to misplace $T"

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

6. From later in the article

At this point, most of that unspent money — comprehensive estimates place the figure at $1 trillion — has been assigned to various programs that were designed to distribute it over an extended period of time.

Enhanced unemployment insurance benefits are sent out weekly. Paycheck Protection Program and other small business aid is supplied as employers apply for them. Enhanced federal Medicaid matching funds are provided to states on a regular basis as long as the public health emergency remains in place. And rebates and tax breaks will be doled out after Americans file their taxes.

Focusing on the money left to go out through those and other programs, then, “is mostly a red herring,” said Jason Furman, who was Obama’s chief economist.

[Midnight Writer]

7. What happened to the trillion dollars? Good question. Let's have an audit and find out.

Let's see exactly where that money went. Break it down.

My bet is that for every dollar that went to a person in need, a hundred dollars went to a corporation.

[PatSeg]

9. Yes, I read something to that effect

awhile back, but can't remember the details now. A disproportionate amount of the stimulus went to corporations and people who did not need it. A very republican sort of stimulus.

[bluestarone]

8. The real question should be

What did YOU people and YOUR president do with the last STIMULUS package????