Yesterday, we heard the exciting news that more stimulus checks will likely be included in the next stimulus package.
But while that news was encouraging, we still do not know for sure when or even if a new stimulus bill will go out.
It seems that lawmakers are still hitting some snags as they attempt to close out this new deal.
The initial deadline for finishing a stimulus proposal and for finalizing the government’s budget was for this Friday but it appears that lawmakers might have to work past that deadline.
Mitch McConnell said that it was “highly likely” that lawmakers would be working through the weekend and they might even have to pass a short term spending bill to avoid a government shut down.
“Let’s make a law as soon as possible,” he said. “That’s what our people deserve.”
So what are the hangups?
Well, the amount that stimulus checks will go out for might still be a contentious issue.
It seems that the likely amount for more stimulus checks will be $600 to $700 but we know several lawmakers prefer to send them out in the same amount that they went out last time at $1,200.
It’s not clear how much resistance is being given to the smaller stimulus checks, though. If I had to guess, I would say lawmakers are okay with sending out smaller amounts.
But another major issue seems to be the amount of federal disaster relief funds that will be authorized.
Lawmakers dropped the relief to local and state governments and some members of Congress feel like these disaster relief funds are a backdoor method to getting that aid out.
If Congress gets hung up on this issue it could be a huge problem because it essentially would take them back to the drawing board with respect to local government aid.
And we know that has been one of the biggest issues from the very beginning.
There also is reportedly a major issue with Federal Reserve powers and a handful of other smaller disagreements that need to be sorted out.
It’s not uncommon for a lot of issues to pop up right before a large bill like this closes. And given all of the months that have led up to this, it’s no surprise that there are some major issues popping up.
It still seems like Congress is committed to getting this package out — at least that is the messaging from the top.
“Do we want to lapse into politics as usual and let negotiations lose steam? Do we want to haggle and spar like this was an ordinary political exercise?” asked Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
“Or on the other hand, after months of inaction, do we want to move swiftly and with unusual bipartisanship to close out our issues, seal the deal, and write text that can quickly pass into law?”
But until we see something finalized, I don’t think we can feel for sure that more aid and more checks will be going out.
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Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio.
Politicians please listen to me. I am a senior disabled citizen who has patiently waited while you have fought and battled through this pandemic to decide who was worth and who wasn’t worth giving some assistance to. I cannot do much to survive this pandemic at this point without some assistance from the government. My rent is going up. Utilities have gone up. Food has gone sky-high. My income has not changed. You’re fighting over dollars that honestly doesn’t mean that much to you. None of you could live for one month on the amount of money that I live on.
Christmas is next week. if I’m lucky I’ll get to have hotdogs for Christmas dinner. I’ve been saving 3 in my freezer for the past month. While you worried about how much time you’re going to get to spend with your family I’m trying to figure out if there’s anything I can give my family. My grandchildren get nothing from me this year because I have nothing to give. I had to borrow toilet paper from a neighbor because I couldn’t afford to go buy any the price of it is so high I simply can’t afford it. Please quit b s and around think about the real people in our country those of us who can’t work those of us who would give anything to to be able to work. I have been disabled for 16 years after an accident at my job. My depression from not being able to work has been outstanding but I have worked through it. I want to work but I can’t. You can. And you must please get this done before it’s too late for so many of us counting on you. Quit worrying about how much vacation time you have coming I think about those who aren’t going to be having anything but hot dogs for Christmas dinner. By the way that does not include all the fixin’s. Thank you for listening to an old woman’s story. I hope to hear in the next day or two that something has finally been taken care of and that there will be some assistance coming out to those of us who so desperately need it we voted for you. Live up to the job you were given. Thank you