It looks like financially strapped Americans will be getting a second round of stimulus checks, after all — and soon.
After months of squabbling, Republicans and Democrats in Congress appear to finally be closing in on a new relief program for the Covid-ravaged U.S. economy.
“It looks like it’s very, very close,” President-elect Joe Biden said on Wednesday, referring to the latest $900 billion version of a Covid relief bill as a “down payment” on what needs to be done.
A deal could be announced as early as Wednesday, according to one Republican senator.
“Lawmakers are racing to pass a deal in part because of widespread signs of economic deterioration in the face of the resurgent pandemic, as well as the imminent expiration of several critical federal aid programs by the end of the year,” reports the Washington Post.
“Nearly eight million Americans have fallen into poverty since this summer,” the Post says, citing a new report, “in part because emergency benefit programs expired. More Americans are filing for unemployment benefits, and the pace of hiring has slowed.”
The package being negotiated “was expected to exclude the two thorniest issues: funding for state and local governments [backed by Democrats] and liability protections for businesses and other entities operating during the pandemic [supported by Republicans],” reports the Wall Street Journal, citing sources “familiar with the talks.”
“Senate and House leaders want to attach the new coronavirus relief package to a $1.4 trillion omnibus spending package that needs to pass by Dec. 18 [Friday] to keep the government funded,” says The Hill.
Unlike the first round of stimulus checks, which were for $1,200, the new checks are expected to be between $600 and $700. The relief package is also expected to include $300 in supplemental weekly unemployment payments.
“Even as talks are moving in a positive direction towards a deal, congressional leaders [were] still trading offers and going back-and-forth” on Wednesday, CNN reported.
Following lengthy, late-night discussions, both parties’ top Senate leaders spoke about the status of the package.
“We made major headway toward hammering out a targeted pandemic relief package that would be able to pass both chambers with bipartisan majorities,” said Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), the majority leader said in remarks on the Senate floor.
“We are close to an agreement. It’s not a done deal yet, but we are very close,” Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said. “For Democrats, this has always been about getting the American people the relief they need at a time of an acute national crisis.”
Schumer, “without offering specifics,” indicated that Democrats will seek further aid next year with the new Biden administration, the Journal says.
