How those $600 checks are likely to be spent

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked an effort Tuesday by Democrats to raise the next round of relief checks to $2,000. So Americans will be getting $600 checks this time around. In the spring, people spent only about a third of the relief money. But nine months into the pandemic, millions of Americans are still out of work and unemployment benefits are dwindling; it might not be so easy to hold on to the money now. On today’s show: Americans are likely to spend their stimulus on necessities right away. Plus, public transit is getting $14 billion in aid and the beef industry is still feeling the effects of COVID-19. Your support makes our reporting possible — become a Marketplace Investor today to keep us going strong.