Where Do We Stand With A Second Stimulus Check?
With the general election less than a week away, Channel 4 (WIVB-TV) reports that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is not giving up on passing another coronavirus relief economic package before Election Day.
That proposed virus relief bill that would send another $1,200 payment to most Americans, reinstate bonus unemployment benefits, fund more testing and vaccines, as well as provide aid to schools and to state and local governments.
Pelosi says her bill focuses on steps that science dictates should be taken to deal with the coronavirus.
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said the relief bill being negotiated would cost about $1.9 trillion. Pelosi is hoping for a $2.2 trillion package.
During Thursday night’s debate, President Donald Trump blamed Pelosi for the fact no deal has been reached saying she doesn’t want to do anything that would help him.
Democratic candidate Joe Biden raised his voice as he reminded viewers of Thursday’s presidential debate that the Democratic-controlled House passed a relief bill months ago and wants to know why Trump isn’t talking to his “Republican friends” about a deal.
Trump says that if he wins reelection, aid will flow immediately. His enthusiasm may wane significantly in the event he loses.
“I’m never very optimistic about the lame duck and I’ve never been surprised,” said Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo. “You don’t get near as much done as you think you’re going to get done.”
Republicans that are willing to speculate about a Trump loss are not expecting much to be accomplished following Election Day.
“I think Democrats would want to wait until the new president is sworn in and do it then and I think Republicans probably would say … the economy’s taking care of it,” said Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa.