Former MSNBC host Dylan Ratigan on Wednesday said that universal basic income (UBI) – an idea popularized by former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang Andrew YangDoctor who allegedly assaulted Evelyn Yang arrested on federal charges The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden weighs in on police shootings | Who's moderating the debates | Trump trails in post-convention polls Buttigieg launches his own podcast MORE – could keep the country's economy afloat long enough to weather fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"UBI is the equivalent of a ventilator for the economy, which is why you're seeing every other country do it. America is the only country that hasn't done it," Ratigan told Hill.TV.

Congress's $2 trillion-plus stimulus package included a one-time check of $1,200 to Americans adults who qualified, though Democratic lawmakers argue that the most recent relief bill isn't enough.

A spokesperson for Sen. Chuck Schumer Chuck SchumerVideo 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 Pelosi orders Capitol flags at half-staff to honor Ginsburg MORE (D-N.Y.) announced Wednesday that the lawmaker and Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin Steven Terner MnuchinLawmakers fear voter backlash over failure to reach COVID-19 relief deal United Airlines, unions call for six-month extension of government aid House Democrats plan to unveil bill next week to avert shutdown MORE are inching closer to a deal on a deal to provide additional funding to small businesses and tens of billions of dollars in federal aid to hospitals and state budgets.

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