A $500 check to help drivers with spiking gas prices? Valley Congressman’s proposal
U.S. Rep. Josh Harder is expected to introduce a bill this week that provides drivers with some relief from rising gas prices.
Fox40’s “Inside California Politics” first reported about Harder’s proposal, called “The Putting Gas Money Back in Your Pocket Act.” The proposed legislation would send $500 checks to drivers across the nation.
“Sky high gas prices are crushing our community, so today I’m introducing a bill to put money back where it belongs: our families’ pockets,” Harder told “Inside California Politics” in a story posted Monday on Fox40’s website.
Harder said the $500 checks would be similar to the pandemic stimulus checks and payments would be issued within 30 days of the bill’s passage, according to “Inside California Politics.”
Harder told the media outlet that there would be no income cap for the relief checks. “The goal here is to simplify the process and get this help out ASAP,” Harder said.
Harder, D-Turlock, represents Stanislaus and southern San Joaquin counties in the 10th Congressional District.
Because of the redrawing of congressional districts based on the 2020 Census, Harder’s district is going away and he is seeking re-election in the new Stockton-centric Ninth Congressional District.
Harder is among several candidates seeking to represent the new congressional district. The top two vote-getters in the June primary will advance to the November election.
The average price of regular gas was $5.637 per gallon on Monday in the Modesto area, according to AAA. The statewide average Monday was $5.917.
Democratic and Republican lawmakers in Sacramento as well as Gov. Gavin Newsom also have introduced proposals to help with rising gas prices.
