"Stimulus check 2" is still up for decision by the government at the moment, according to reports. The Senate is expected to decide in the next couple of weeks, but the latest update has suggested that the Senate is uncertain whether the second round of payments is indeed required.

When President Donald Trump announced that the unemployment rate has declined to 13.3 percent, which is reportedly an improvement from 14.7 percent in April, the push for a second stimulus check slowed for some legislators.

However, as case counts of COVID-19 began to increase in some states again, there is a growing concern that the economic effect of this global health crisis is far from over.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said that if the government approves this second round of stimulus payment, "it will be part of the last act" Congress is passing to help the United States with the financial obstacles in the pandemic.

More Weeks of Waiting

In mid-May, the House passed the initial relief package called "Heroes Act" amounting to $3 million that includes, aside from aid for frontliners, a "stimulus check 2" for a maximum of $1,200 for each person, or $2,400 for married couples.

Nearly one month later, the Senate is still deciding whether to have the bill approved or draft a totally new stimulus package. This may mean more weeks of waiting before the Senate makes a final decision. 

According to reports, US politicians won't start working on the 2020 plan until the latter part of July when Congress returns from their two-week break from July 3 to 17.

CBS News said stimulus payments could arrive in two months, given the schedule of legislatures in Washington DC.

Impact of Floyd-Related Protests

There's no confirmation whether the widespread George Floyd-related demonstrations and civil unrest are affecting the agenda of the White House in terms of the second payout.

According to CNBC, Sen. McConnell last month that Congress would make a decision in "one month" if it would take up a second payout, with most of the work taking place in July.

Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal said the Trump administration earlier thought that the executive branch could work on the package until July, which, CNET noted, may still take place.

According to reports, Senate, Congress, and White House officials will have to reach a deal swiftly considering that "the $600-a-month enhanced unemployment allowances" is expiring in end-July.

Reactions to the Delayed Relief

Stimulus check 2 drew different responses from various people, including politicians. Most of these reactions were, rather than expressions of hope and excitement, were of disappointment.

Among the countless tweets were those of politicians who believe that the present payout, which millions of people have not yet received, is not enough financial aid during this pandemic.

Senator Bernie Sanders believes the second payout is not possible as more than 30 million people have not received their one-time $1,200 payment yet.

 

On Twitter, the senator further said that Congress needs to provide a monthly payment of $2,000 to all, and have the payout cover the last three months.

Meanwhile, Representative Tim Ryan  in reaction to a Newsweek article about the "$2,000-a-month checks for Americans," said on Twitter that he is proud to be one of the first to recommend this bill, and "we're still fighting for it."

 

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