Ever since March, Americans have been looking for another stimulus check but they were not getting any response from the government. That first stimulus check of $1,200 was thought to be a continuous aid to struggling Americans, but citizens’ only choices were to return to whatever work was available or apply for unemployment. Optimism was in the air around October when there were talks about relief aids due to Covid-19 for businesses, the unemployed, schools, and healthcare providers. Congress finally approved a $900 billion coronavirus relief package after major negotiations.

What Does This Mean?

Help is being provided to Americans in the wake of the global pandemic with independent groups getting direct payments of $600. Married couples will be getting $600 for every dependent under the age of 18 who live in the household. This will also come up with enhanced unemployment benefits including $300 a week. The new bill will provide over $284 billion for small businesses struggling to pay rent and workers. $69 billion will be spent on testing and funding for distribution of Covid-19 vaccine. Lastly, $82 billion for colleges and schools.

This package will also provide billions to struggling sectors like mass transit, movie theaters, and performance venues.

President Donald Trump expected to sign the bill into law in the following days. President Trump will be signing this bill to allow emergency aid to start the flow to citizens immediately.

Twitter went up in flames when news of $600 check came instead of $1200. People are also calling this bill a “Bridge Bill” as time is running out for Congress. This bill will allow funding to aid unemployment and small businesses to survive until the vaccine is widespread. This doesn’t rule out another stimulus check to follow this one.

“Yes, there is more work to do and it will cost some money. But it will protect jobs and most importantly, it will meet the needs of the American people,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on new C.A.R.E.S Act (The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) bill.

Original Cares Act

Nancy Pelosi was always for a second stimulus check. Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell were the architects of the 1.8 trillion C.A.R.E.S Act. The landmark relief bill that passed in March.

The C.A.R.E.S Act created a $600 per-week bonus Covid-19 unemployment benefit that assist household incomes during the springtime shutdown. It expired at the end of July and Republicans were against its renewal. The CARES Act also allowed for additional weeks of emergency pandemic unemployment payments at regular benefit levels which are about to expire on December 31st.

This was the largest economic relief package in modern U.S history.

Nancy Pelosi and the Fight for C.A.R.E.S Act 2

When talks of another C.A.R.E.S Act being discussed, Nancy Pelosi made it clear that talks in action. She also spoke on how long it could take to actually reach a bill. She and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell initiated late negotiations to get the bill passed before the expiration of the last bill package on December 26.

Nancy Pelosi has spoken on not giving up on passing the next stimulus package before Election Day on November 3rd. She has kept her word. Pelosi and President Donald Trump were long supporters of another round of the $1200 direct payments to the public. House Democrats also supported the idea, but it was unpopular among many Senate Republicans.

President Trump’s varying stance on the relief bill also complicated the process. Nancy Pelosi has spoken on the President “being all over the place.” After he has continuously called off talks and then claimed he wants to spend more on the stimulus package than the Democrats. This includes spending $2.2 trillion on Covid-19 aid.

In October, the talks of another stimulus check were initially being discussed by legislation. “We’ve come, I think, to terms on the direct payments,” said Pelosi. The House speaker has said the sides have not come to a consensus on several topics. Pelosi and Democrats couldn’t come to an agreement on anything besides the checks. During talks, Democrats and Republicans have described the differences when it comes down to the role the government needs to take to help the country emerge from the economic and health-care crisis.

Negotiations

Pressure from lawmakers and a brutal surge in Covid-19 cases spurred on serious negotiations among Congressional leaders and top Trump administration officials. Lawmakers agreed that the package was far from perfect and falls short in many key areas. Pelosi and top Democrats said this recovery bill would be simply a down payment on a much larger package they hope to pass when President-elect Joe Biden takes office in January.

Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy also gathered to handle end of the year expiration of many Covid relief programs, as well as funding and draft a deal. The prime focus was on government aid for those who are struggling.

During a speech on the House floor, Pelosi said, “I would have liked them to have been bigger, but they are significant and they will be going out soon.”

Refusal To Sign

Donald Trump has signed the new $900 billion stimulus package and averted a federal government shutdown on Tuesday. Before Christmas, Trump indicated that he might not sign the new stimulus package that Congress passed earlier this month in response to the Covid-19 pandemic because, among other reasons, recently refused to sign the bill due calling it a “disgrace” to the low amount. He asked for the checks to be raised to $2000 for Americans.

Trump did sign the bill so this will not stop the $600 check.

When Will You Receive the Second Round of Stimulus?

Most likely even faster than you received the check earlier this year. Some payments should go out by the the beginning of week. The first check took a couple of weeks. This is largely due to the government being more prepared now on American citizens, including those who may not have filed a recent tax returns during the previous round.

People who will be receiving papers checks will, of course, take longer.

College students may also be eligible to receive a stimulus check. You may not be eligible if your parents claim you on their taxes.

What do you think about the Second Stimulus check update? Let us know in comments

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