TOPLINE
Negotiations on what to include in the next stimulus bill, which will likely include another stimulus check, will begin “seriously” on Monday, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said Sunday in what It could be the last big federal push. funding for a US economy that has been shaken by the impacts of the coronavirus.
United States President Donald Trump speaks to the press in the White House Oval Office after receiving … [+]
KEY FACTS
President Donald Trump plans to meet with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to “fine-tune” the details of the bill, Meadows told Fox News.
Trump has said this bill should include a second stimulus check for Americans, though it’s unclear at this point how much the checks would be and how many Americans could qualify, as McConnell has suggested checks directed at those who earn less than $ 40,000 a year.
The bill will also address the future of unemployment payments, with the $ 600-a-week federal bonus due in late July.
Democrats want unemployment funds to be extended, but Republicans have argued that the $ 600 per week pay, which adds to normal state unemployment, is too generous and could be better replaced by a return-to-work bonus or pay lower unemployment.
Trump demands that the bill also include a payroll tax cut, saying in an interview about Fox News Sunday that “I would consider not signing it if we don’t have a payroll tax cut,” while saying that he would like to include liability protections for companies.
Democrats oppose both proposals.
KEY FUND
The bill is expected to cost around $ 1 trillion, and McConnell has said he would like it to be the latest stimulus package to be approved by the federal government in response to the pandemic. But lawmakers, along with the White House, do not have much time to negotiate as there are only 10 business days until the House of Representatives goes into recess. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she would delay the recess if a stimulus bill is negotiated, but McConnell did not say whether it would when the Senate finishes work on August 7.
AMAZING FACT
McConnell and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin have been working on a bill for weeks, but Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said recently that Democrats have had no “contact” with the Republicans or the House Blanca on what is happening in the next bill.
What to see
There are many places where the bill could come to a standstill, such as unemployment or corporate liability protection, but one of the main points of discussion could be the help provided to state and local governments. Funding for the reopening of schools is one of the main disconnects between the two sides. Democrats target $ 430 billion to reopen schools in the fall, while Republicans are priced at around $ 30 billion.
OTHER READINGS
The White House chief of staff says stimulus negotiations will start “seriously” on Monday (CNN)
Trump wants a second ‘bigger’ stimulus check (Forbes)
New Stimulus Package May Launch Next Week (Forbes)
Trump demands payroll tax cut, while Republican Party contemplates cut benefits for unemployed (The Washington Post)
The next stimulus bill will be the last, says McConnell (Forbes)
The next stimulus bill must be negotiated in just 15 days (Forbes)
