A Senate GOP proposal for the third coronavirus package would provide $1,200 to Americans who make up to $75,000.

The provision is included in a nearly 250-page bill unveiled by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMomentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Trump expects to nominate woman to replace Ginsburg next week Video of Lindsey Graham arguing against nominating a Supreme Court justice in an election year goes viral MORE (R-Ky.) on Thursday.

Setting the details of the cash assistance was spearheaded by Sen. Chuck Grassley Charles (Chuck) Ernest GrassleySenate Republicans face tough decision on replacing Ginsburg What Senate Republicans have said about election-year Supreme Court vacancies Biden says Ginsburg successor should be picked by candidate who wins on Nov. 3 MORE (R-Iowa), the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Preventing the spread of the coronavirus will take a financial toll on individuals, families and businesses,” Grassley said in a statement.

Under the GOP plan the amount of cash assistance would scale down between $75,000 and $99,000, when it would be phased out. It would also provide an additional $500 per child.

But a GOP summary of the bill, noted that individuals with little or no tax liability would receive roughly half—a minimum of $600.

"Taxpayers with little or no income tax liability, but at least $2,500 of qualifying income, would be eligible for a minimum rebate check of $600 ($1,200 married). Qualifying income includes earned income, as well as Social Security retirement benefits and certain compensation and pension benefits paid to veterans. This ensures relief gets to low-income seniors and disabled veterans," the summary reads.

The detail sparked quick calls for some GOP senators to "fix" the language, so that lower earners could receive the same $1,200 check.

"Relief to families in this emergency shouldn’t be regressive. Lower-income families shouldn’t be penalized," Hawley said.

The decision to include the cash assistance comes despite fierce GOP pushback from certain Republican senators, who argued that it would not stimulate the broader economy.

ADVERTISEMENT

Some GOP senators wanted to instead expand unemployment insurance.

“Here’s what I think. Direct payments make sense when the economy is beginning to start. It makes no sense now," Sen. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamMomentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Video of Lindsey Graham arguing against nominating a Supreme Court justice in an election year goes viral Warning signs flash for Lindsey Graham in South Carolina MORE (R-S.C.) told reporters after the lunch, adding that the number under discussion is "all over the board."

Sen. Richard Shelby Richard Craig ShelbySenate GOP eyes early exit Dems discussing government funding bill into February GOP short of votes on Trump's controversial Fed pick MORE (R-Ala.) added that he believed the direct cash payments should be "as a supplement unemployment, not to the people that are still working every day, you know, just a blanket cash check to everybody in America that’s making up to $75,000.”

But the idea has picked up steam with Republicans and the Trump administration, with Treasury Secretary 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 floating the idea of $1,000 checks to all Americans.

Asked if he thought it would be in the bill despite the GOP opposition, Sen. Kevin Cramer Kevin John CramerMomentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day On Paycheck Protection Program, streamlined forgiveness is key McConnell shores up GOP support for coronavirus package MORE (R-N.D.) added, "I'd bet on it, if I was a betting person."

—Updated at 10:07 p.m.