The checks are (almost) in the mail

Your guide to how Washington shapes business and the economy

VIEW IN BROWSER | SUBSCRIBE FRI, MAR 12, 2021 CNBC POLITICS EDITOR'S NOTE Hello,   That's a wrap on President Biden's Covid relief bill.   By signing it into law yesterday, Biden freed up up trillions of dollars in funds for wide swaths of the country. Unemployment benefits will get weekly boosts. Families will get bigger tax credits for their children. Billions will flow into Covid vaccination distribution. State and local governments will get some help. And stimulus checks should start hitting bank accounts this weekend, according to the White House.    Biden plans to take a victory lap. He and Vice President Harris are due to start hitting the road to talk up the bill's impact on poverty and the nation's fight against Covid-19. Last night, the president previewed the next phase of his administration's response. He wants all adults eligible to receive the vaccine by May 1. And he hopes that there will be measure of normalcy by the time families start holding Fourth of July gatherings.   But while Biden has achieved some key goals and is on the path toward hitting other marks in the Covid battle, the success of his next legislative push is far less certain.   The president wants a big, bold infrastructure bill that will go a long way in defining his legacy. He wants it to create union jobs, and he wants it to include green initiatives to combat climate change. He also wants it to be bipartisan.    It should be good for Biden, then, that several Republicans support infrastructure reform. It was one of former President Trump's key issues in his 2016 campaign, after all. The problem is the GOP and Democrats are already at odds over the size of the bill, which hasn't been written yet. They also disagree over how to pay for it. It looks like those difficulties won't be resolved any time soon.   Everyone wants some kind of infrastructure reform. That's why it keeps coming up, no matter which party is in power. But that's also why it doesn't end up going anywhere. Remember Trump's "Infrastructure Week"?   Infrastructure is a nebulous term in politics. Every faction has different priorities for it: clean energy, better roads and bridges, broadband internet expansion, etc. And few agree over how to finance it. Tax increases? Public-private partnerships? More borrowing?    The devil will be in the details. Now we just have to wait for the details.   Thoughts? Email Politics Editor Mike Calia at CNBCPolitics@nbcuni.com.   Have friends or colleagues who might like this newsletter? They can sign up here.    Subscribe to CNBC's daily new podcast The News with Shepard Smith, which provides deep, non-partisan coverage and perspective on the day's most important stories. Mike Calia @Michael_Calia KEY STORIES  Biden will direct states to make all adults eligible for Covid vaccine by May 1 Biden also said that Americans should hopefully be able to gather in small groups to celebrate the Fourth of July. Stimulus checks could start hitting bank accounts this weekend, White House says White House press secretary Jen Psaki's announcement came minutes after President Joe Biden signed the $1.9 trillion Covid relief bill. Congress delivered big Covid relief bills over the past year – but months of inaction took a major toll Congress quickly sent robust relief to individuals and businesses after the coronavirus hit, but failed to extend the aid for much of last year. Biden wants bipartisan support for infrastructure, but GOP and Dems are already drawing battle lines Democratic proposals to cover costs – including raising taxes on gas, corporations and electric vehicles – would likely only pass along party lines. With Covid relief passed, Biden prepares to stake his presidency and Democratic majorities on infrastructure With President Joe Biden's Covid stimulus package set to become law, the White House now turns its attention to a once-in-a-generation infrastructure bill. Cuomo impeachment probe authorized by New York Assembly speaker as sexual harassment claims grow More Democrats, including New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, want N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo to quit due to sexual harassment claims and a Covid data cover-up. New York Democrats start to discuss running for governor as Cuomo resists calls to resign New York Democrats have started to discuss running for governor as Andrew Cuomo resists calls for him to resign amid sexual harassment allegations The housing market stands at a tipping point after a stunningly successful year during the pandemic Lower demand and weaker affordability could cause a significant slowdown in home sales and stop the steep rise in home prices. GOP praises Trump after he urges Republican donors to send money directly to him Trump is also demanding that the Republican Party stop using his name and likeness in its own fundraising efforts. Federal judge in Ohio rules CDC exceeded authority with eviction ban A federal judge in Ohio has ruled that the government overstepped its authority when it banned evictions across the country.     Unsubscribe Manage Newsletters Terms of Service Join the CNBC Panel Digital Products Feedback Privacy Policy   © 2021 CNBC LLC. All rights reserved. A property of NBCUniversal. 900 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by THOMSON REUTERS