The part that makes it feel like vote buying is the income limit they set. A person making $140k getting $250 doesn’t change their life or relationship with groceries and rising costs. Why not make the cap lower and give the lower income individuals more to make an actual difference in their lives? Because then it’s not vote buying.
I believe they said that even families with $140k income are struggling. Believe that if you want, but they aren't just sending out checks to people who wouldn't benefit from it.
But I get your point. It impact lower-income families far more than someone making 2-3 times more.