The second round of stimulus checks for lower-income Americans is expected in the new COVID-19 relief deal, according to reports.
The exact amount given in these direct payments is not known at this time, however, the deal will drop state and local aid, a top priority for leading Democrats, along with the liability shield that GOP Sen. Mitch McConnell backed.
Senate and House leaders are reportedly closing in on a nearly $900 billion deal as the coronavirus pandemic continues to close small businesses and leave Americans out of work.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi invited Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to her office for a meeting on COVID-19 and government funding. The meeting took place on Tuesday and went on until late Tuesday night.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters late Tuesday night that there had been “significant progress” and he’s “optimistic.”
A bipartisan Senate negotiating group presented a $748 billion compromise bill with support from members of both parties on Monday. This bill did not contain direct payments to American citizens, however, but does contain additional unemployment payments of $300.00 per-week.
The deal on the table now is said to be at $900 billion, up from the $728 billion proposed. We will update this story with details about the stimulus deal when they come in.