Five stark measures show rising American suffering as Congress finalizes aid deal
Millions of Americans expect to lose wages in the next four weeks.
Millions of Americans don’t have enough to eat, are falling behind on housing payments or have had trouble paying their bills. And millions of Americans are lapsing into poverty.
Here’s how things are getting tougher for Americans.
More people in poverty
Nearly 8 million more Americans have joined the ranks of the poor since June, according to researchers from the University of Chicago and University of Notre Dame.
The poverty rate jumped to 11.7% in November, up from 9.3% in June. That’s nearly double the largest annual increase in poverty since the 1960s.
Five stark measures show rising American suffering as Congress finalizes aid deal By: CNN
By Tami Luhby, CNN (CNN) Millions of Americans expect to lose wages in the next four weeks.
Millions of Americans don t have enough to eat, are falling behind on housing payments or have had trouble paying their bills. And millions of Americans are lapsing into poverty.
Here s how things are getting tougher for Americans.
More people in poverty
Nearly 8 million more Americans have joined the ranks of the poor since June, according to researchers from the University of Chicago and University of Notre Dame.
The poverty rate jumped to 11.7% in November, up from 9.3% in June. That s nearly double the largest annual increase in poverty since the 1960s.
Congress dithers over token relief bill as 4.8 million more Americans face poverty in January
Despite claims of “good progress” and assurances of “getting a deal done,” Democratic and Republican congressional leaders adjourned Friday without passing an estimated $900 billion coronavirus relief bill. The completely inadequate bill, which is still subject to change, would reportedly provide a $300-a-week federal unemployment benefit for 10 weeks and a one-time direct payment of $600 to low- and middle-income people.
Auto workers leave the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Warren Truck Plant after the first work shift, Monday, May 18, 2020, in Warren, Mich. [Credit: AP Photo/Paul Sancya]
The short-term federal jobless benefit is 50 percent less than the $600 weekly supplement that expired on July 31, and the one-time stimulus check is only half the amount provided under the CARES Act, passed by a near-unanimous bipartisan vote in March. That bill provided some $6 trillion in low-inte