A SECOND stimulus check for $600 was finally agreed upon for cash-strapped Americans.
Lawmakers have finally finalized the $900 billion economic relief package, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced on Sunday, according to the Washington Post.
“More help is on the way. Moments ago, in consultation with our committees, the four leaders of the Senate and House finalized an agreement for another major rescue package for the American people,” McConnell said.
McConnell praised the package as a “bipartisan breakthrough,” according to USA Today.
Lawmakers still need to finalize the bill’s text, which then needs to pass the House and Senate before President Donald Trump can sign it into law — which he has indicated he will do.
The bill could pass as soon as Sunday evening, according to USA Today.
McConnell tweeted on Sunday announcing that a deal had been reached, and said more relief would be on the way.
“As the American people continue battling the coronavirus this holiday season, they will not be on their own,” McConnell tweeted.
“We will pass another rescue package ASAP. More help is on the way.”
Before the agreement was reached, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer tweeted that Democrats fought Republicans on aspects of the bill — which he said will now not be included.
“This emergency #COVIDrelief won’t include any of the dangerous GOP corporate immunity provisions to limit workers’ rights,” Schumer said.
“This emergency #COVIDrelief won’t include provisions that would gratuitously limit the Fed’s authority & hamstring the Biden admin.”
An embattled Congress has bickered and fought through several stalled attempts at providing more aid to Americans after the first round of stimulus checks were sent out in the spring.
An agreement on stimulus checks had finally been expected to come this weekend after Congress held a rare weekend session to reach a coronavirus relief deal.
Negotiators on both sides of the aisle had seemingly come to an agreement that would include $600 checks for Americans, along with a series of other crucial assists.
The amount of cash would decrease for people earning over $75,000 per year, according to the Washington Post.
However, by Sunday evening, hopes of a deal had been dwindling before the historic announcement.
Fox News reported before the agreement was reached that talks had “really slowed down.”
President Trump had reportedly demanded the United States Congress agree on stimulus checks that are a minimum of $1,200 and at most $2,000.
On Sunday morning, the president tweeted: “Why isn’t Congress giving our people a Stimulus Bill?
“It wasn’t their fault, it was the fault of China. GET IT DONE, and give them more money in direct payments.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had urged for an agreement to be made on a new coronavirus relief package on Saturday.
“The American people cannot feed their families, or pay their bills with Congress’ good faith discussion,” McConnell told the Senate floor, according to Fox News.
“They need us to act. We need to conclude our talks, draft legislation and land this plane.”
McConnell also revealed there has been productive talks with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy.
More to follow…
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