Second Stimulus Checks: Is the Congressional Leadership Prioritizing Politics Over U.S. Economy?

Hopes for the second stimulus checks before the November 3 General Election are all but dashed as the Republicans and Democrats leaders are on a standoff in passing a second COVID-19 relief package.

After the Democrats rejected the skinny stimulus bill of the Republicans last week in the Senate, Americans are not likely to receive second stimulus checks before the election unless, by some miracle, the Congressional leaders come together for their sake.

However, even a miracle now seems unlikely with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. He says he wished he could say they are getting another package but that it does not look right now, according to a CNN report.

An agreement between the Democrats and Republican leaders on a second COVID-19 relief package is all that is needed. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he could immediately start printing second stimulus checks as soon as he receives the order to send them out. This is according to a Forbes report.

However, time is running out for the Americans as the U.S. government will partially shut down by October in preparation for the election. The Congress will take a recess by October 12.

The COVID-19 relief package's primary aim was supposed to give Americans spending money to stimulate the U.S. economy.

Both parties have expressed their willingness to negotiate for a second relief package. Still, they so far have continued to bicker on a lot of issues involved, topmost of which is the total amount of a second package.

They also bickered on the issue of sending out second stimulus checks.

With their continued standoff and the election fast approaching, it begs the question, is the Congressional leadership prioritizing politics over the U.S. economy at the expense of millions of Americans.

Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota said that not having a deal will benefit the Democrats, which is why they are avoiding one because they want to win back the Senate and the White House.

Florida Republican Marco Rubio, who chairs the Senate Small Business, said that he is worried that as companies run out of money, there will be another round of layoffs, which will mean further bad news for the U.S. economy.

Rubio added that the Democrats might be counting on a piece of bad economic news in October because it might help them during the November election.

However, the stalemate is costing the U.S. economy and the Americans. Many would need second stimulus checks to tie them over until the COVID-19 pandemic ends because the first $1,200 checks are dwindling out.

The $600 weekly enhanced unemployment benefits have ended last July. Even the additional $300 weekly unemployment checks given to Americans who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic might end as soon as next week.

This because, according to a Latin Post report, the $44 billion federal funding for the additional unemployment benefit is about to run out.

With no second stimulus checks to look forward to, this may mean that millions of Americans will not be able to cope with even the most basic of needs.

Check these out:

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