Second Stimulus Check Might be on its Way

An+emergency+relief+check+on+top+of+%24100+dollar+bills.

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An emergency relief check on top of $100 dollar bills.

Tomas Sanchez Jurado, Reporter

The Democratic Party had been attempting to pass a new COVID-19 economic relief bill which would include a second stimulus check since August. The Democratic House had initially planned to vote on the bill late Wednesday night but pushed it off to Thursday to give House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin room to talk. Since they failed to reach an agreement the House voted Thursday night and passed a $2.2 trillion Democratic coronavirus stimulus plan. The House approved the legislation in a 214-207 vote. 18 Democrats voted against the measure as lawmakers in competitive districts grow wary of the ongoing impasse over aid, but the bill likely will not get through the Republican-held Senate and become law.

Pelosi and Mnuchin failed to bridge the gulf on a range of issues, including how much aid to send state and local governments and whether to establish a liability shield for businesses and schools. They negotiated trough the week and although they came close, they could not agree on a COVID relive plan and agreed to continue talks. Democratic Party leaders plan to pass their own bill with a partisan stimulus package. They will lack GOP support.

The first stimulus check maxed out at $1,200 per adult, the quantity of the second stimulus check depends on the eligibility rules for dependents and if your financial circumstances have changed since August. On Monday evening, a Democratic bill text came out with a plan to ensure money will go to citizens’ pockets, either through a successful deal with Mnuchin or the independent Democratic bill. Sadly the release has signaled to many failed negotiations between the Democratic and Republican parties. Neither side has claimed responsibility for breaking them off.