Could there be a last-minute agreement that will provide Americans with another round of stimulus payments?
Maybe. Big emphasis on maybe.
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin continued “to narrow their differences” in an almost hour-long phone conversation Monday, according to Pelosi’s spokesperson Drew Hammill. Pelosi had earlier set a Tuesday deadline for another coronavirus relief package if both sides wanted it passed before the Nov. 3 presidential election.
“The Speaker continues to hope that by the end of the day Tuesday we will have clarity on whether we will be able to pass a bill before the election,” Hammill said.
Hammill said staffs from both sides are working “around the clock” on a deal.
If a deal is approved, it will come after months of negotiations between Democrats and the White House, talks that varied greatly from the relatively easy passage of the first COVID-19 relief package during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic in March. Now, both sides remain far apart on a price tag, as well as where and how that money will be spent.
Republicans and Democrats have said they support another round of direct payments. The payments would be similar to the first round – up to $1,200 for individuals and $2,400 for married couples. The definition of “dependent” would likely be expanded to allow more people to receive $500 per-dependent payments.
2 plans, trillions of dollars
The Trump administration initially backed a $1.8 trillion package but, according to White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, recently upped that offer to $1.9 trillion. Democrats want a higher amount – some $2.2 trillion. Both packages are less than the first COVID-19 package that came with a $3 trillion price tag.
Much of the current negotiations center on virus testing measures Democrats want included in the bill. Pelosi said Republican’s made “unacceptable changes” to the original act that included expansion of testing, tracing and treatment of the virus.
Other issues that reportedly remain unresolved are the child tax credit, expansion of unemployment benefits and payments for states and local funding.
Senate may reject measure
Even if Mnuchin and Pelosi are successful in reaching an agreement, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell could sink the deal. McConnell has said he would put a bipartisan measure to a vote but was not in favor of the higher price tag.
Instead, on Tuesday McConnell will preside over the vote on a smaller $500 billion bill that extends the Paycheck Protection Program, a measure that helps businesses keep employees. Another “skinny” stimulus measure with targeted relief for businesses and the unemployed is expected to be back before the Senate Wednesday.
Neither Senate bill includes another round of stimulus payments.
"last" - Google News
October 20, 2020 at 07:13PM
https://ift.tt/2IKDJWZ
Second stimulus check: Last-minute talks continue on payments but time running out - AL.com
"last" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2rbmsh7
https://ift.tt/2Wq6qvt
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Second stimulus check: Last-minute talks continue on payments but time running out - AL.com"
Post a Comment