Both houses of Congress left after their recession in August without a signed incentive agreement. While there are several key points that keep a deal off the table, there is one aspect that all parties and the Trump administration agree on – sending the Americans another stimulus check.
Unfortunately, it is not as easy as everyone coming together to say, “We agree on this single measure, let’s pass an incentive scheme, and then negotiate on any additional line item we want.”
The next relonation for coronavirus may be the last this year, and both parties and the Trump administration all have additional items on their agenda that they want to include.
Let’s take a look at why an incentive check is still on the table and why we might see one in the very near future. We will also address the issues that are holding things back.
Both parties have other line items they want passed on
President Trump recently signed four presidential directives (an executive mandate and three memoranda) to address issues such as extending unemployment benefits, an eviction moratorium, postponing student loans, and a tax cut.
But experts are not sure if or when these measures will take place and how much impact they will have. Incorporating these measures into a larger account would provide a more sustainable solution for these and other line items.
Everyone wants a different control
By everyone I mean the politicians and their constituencies. Both parties and the Trump administration are in favor of sending a new check, and most voters would certainly appreciate some financial help.
It’s an election year
Much more is on the way as the next president decides. Voters will also vote in new congressional representatives for both the Senate and the House of Representatives. There is potential for changing the guards, so to speak, and the occupants want your vote.
Supporting and passing on a relief bill that directly affects the pocket books of their parts can go a long way toward voting votes.
Both parties have agreed on rough terms of the next check
After some back and forth, both parties also more or less agreed on the parameters of a second incentive check.
The Democratic-led House proposed the HEROES Act in May, which included a $ 11,000 incentive check similar to the first incentive check included in the CARES Act. There were two primary differences. The HEROES Act offered $ 1,200 checks for a maximum of three dependencies instead of the $ 500 included in the CARES Act. It also expanded the suitability for certain groups that were excluded from the incentive controls in the CARES Act. However, the HEROES Act was a $ 3 trillion incentive bill that was too expensive for the Senate to catch up with.
The Republican-led Senate initially wanted to control smaller incentives than what was included in the CARES law. However, they have since come round. They proposed the HEALS Act, which included a $ 1200 incentive check with terms and conditions that were very similar to those found in the HEROES Act. The primary difference was that it provided $ 500 checks for dependency.
And although President Trump does not make the laws, he can sign them into law. He has gone on record rather than saying that he not only supports a second stimulus control, but that he wanted a more generated stimulus control than the first.
With so much in common, and so much in common, it seems likely that we will see another incentive check.
How much could you receive from a second incentive check?
We do not have solid figures now, but we can look at recent proposals to get an idea for ball parks.
The most far-reaching proposals in both chambers of Congress are the HEROES Act and the HEALS Act, both of which require a $ 1200 check for individuals. The primary difference has been how much to supply addicts, with the HEROES Act requiring a similar amount of $ 1200 and the HEALS Act requiring $ 500.
Both proposals would be eligible for qualified dependency of all ages.
While here are some calculators to let you run some scenarios.
Again, these are estimates because the final bill has not been agreed upon.
What is the prevention of passing the next incentive bill?
There are several major roadblocks that are delaying negotiations. The three largest are the total cost of the bill, expanded unemployment benefits, and additional funding for state and local governments.
In general, Democrats are looking for a more comprehensive bill than Republicans. The HEROES law, which passed the House in May, was a $ 3 trillion proposal that Republicans called First Chamber Republicans too expensive. The Republican-led Senate proposed a $ 1 trillion HEALS bill, which comes out on top of its desired spending.
Democrats want to extend the $ 600 federal weekly unemployment benefit that expired at the end of July. Republicans are in favor of extending the benefit, but only at a lower rate. They argue that too many people earn more money through unemployment than they did while they were employed.
Democrats also want to provide up to $ 1 trillion to state and local governments. These funds are designed to reduce tax revenues and help prevent massive layoffs of public sector employees. Republicans have said they do not want to reimburse agencies that had mismanaged their funds before the pandemic.
Key Dates:
Here are some upcoming dates to keep in mind as we approach the next voice sessions.
- September 8: First Chamber returns to session.
- September 14: Second Chamber returns to session.
- September 30: Fiscal year closes.
It is unlikely that we will see a bill in advance for one of the rooms back after session. This would require these legislators to be recalled to Washington DC to vote. It is more likely that we will receive more solid news in early September.
Additional Stimulus Sources:
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