Senate Democrats on Saturday unveiled a plan to increase monthly Social Security benefits, veterans assistance and Supplemental Security Income benefits by $200 a month, which could further add to a stimulus bill that is now estimated to cost between $1.3 trillion and $1.4 trillion.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerRepublican senator says plans to confirm justice before election 'completely consistent with the precedent' Video of Lindsey Graham arguing against nominating a Supreme Court justice in an election year goes viral Graham signals support for confirming a Supreme Court nominee this year MORE (D-N.Y.) joined Sen. Ron Wyden Ronald (Ron) Lee WydenGOP set to release controversial Biden report Democrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate GOP senator blocks Schumer resolution aimed at Biden probe as tensions run high MORE (Ore.), the senior Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenGOP set to release controversial Biden report Biden's fiscal program: What is the likely market impact? Warren, Schumer introduce plan for next president to cancel ,000 in student debt MORE (D-Mass.) in calling for the expanded benefits to be added to the phase three stimulus bill.

The additional benefits, which would last through the end of 2021, would provide seniors, veterans and people with disabilities an extra $4,000 over the next two years.

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“Immediately increasing Social Security benefits would put money in the pockets of seniors, veterans and people with disabilities during these uncertain times,” Schumer said in a statement. “Senate Democrats are committed to quickly delivering relief to the millions of Americans bearing the weight of this public health crisis.”

Warren said increasing Social Security benefits “would get money directly to millions of people quickly.”

“Social Security was created to respond to the Great Depression, and expanding it now will ensure this critical program helps us meet the challenge of the current crisis,” she added.

Proponents of expanded Social Security benefits made a strong push for the proposal during a House Democratic conference call Thursday morning.

Rep. John Larson John Barry LarsonGAO clears way for Democrats to try to overturn Trump's payroll tax deferral Trump payroll-tax deferral for federal workers sparks backlash Military members can't opt out of Trump's payroll tax deferral MORE (D-Conn.), the Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee chairman, pitched his bill, The Emergency Social Security Benefits Improvement Act, on the call.

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It would provide for a 2 percent across-the-board increase in Social Security benefits for 64 million people, increase the threshold for the special minimum benefit to 125 percent of the federal poverty level, and reduce taxes on benefits for low- and middle-income individuals and families.

Rep. Jared Huffman Jared William HuffmanOVERNIGHT ENERGY: House Democrats tee up vote on climate-focused energy bill next week | EPA reappoints controversial leader to air quality advisory committee | Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' COVID-19 complicates California's record-setting wildfire season Congress should investigate OAS actions in Bolivia MORE (D-Calif.) said it’s a popular idea in the House Democratic caucus.

"If we're talking about bailing out certain industries, we've got to treat the most vulnerable population in this pandemic, our seniors, with the same priority," he said. "It's an appropriate economic stimulus. It's also a critical part of retirement security and economic security for some of the worst-affected Americans."

A major Democratic criticism of the Senate Republican stimulus plan is that it does not do enough to help people on the lowest rungs of the economic ladder who are especially vulnerable to the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow Deborah (Debbie) Ann StabenowOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Trump rollbacks could add 1.8 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions over 15 years: analysis | Intensifying natural disasters do little to move needle on climate efforts | Experts warn wildfire smoke could worsen COVID-19 GAO report finds brokers offered false info on coverage for pre-existing conditions Democrats back away from quick reversal of Trump tax cuts MORE (Mich.), one of the Democratic negotiators, on Friday faulted the GOP plan for proposing $1,200 rebate checks for adults earning up to $75,000 per year but much less for people who earn little to no federally taxable income.

“I couldn’t believe that they were talking about lowest-income people getting $600 and somebody making $75,000 getting twice as much as that, $1,200,” she said. “Those numbers don’t make any sense.”