Stimulus Payments, $600 Unemployment Monthly Checks Included in Newly Unveiled Democratic Package

Stimulus payments and $600 unemployment monthly checks are included in the scaled-back $2.2 trillion COVID-19 relief package unveiled by the House Democrats on Monday, September 28.

This new COVID-19 relief package dubbed as the Heroes Act 2.0 is $1.2 trillion less than the original legislation passed last spring. It is their last-ditch to put on the White House negotiators' pressure so they can have a bipartisan deal before the November 3 presidential election.

The new package includes second one-time stimulus payments of $1,200 for most Americans and funding to restore the $600 unemployment monthly checks until January.

The Heroes Act 2.0 also provides $436 billion as emergency aid for state and local governments and $75 billion for testing, contact tracing, and other healthcare efforts.

Billions are also budgeted for housing assistance; and funding to shore up the Census, U.S. Postal Service, and elections.

The newly unveiled COVID-19 relief package is also providing $25 billion to stave off thousands of layoffs at passenger airlines and another $3 billion for airline contractors, key provisions that have the support of President Donald Trump, and his GOP allies.

However, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi did not specify in a letter that she wrote to her colleagues on Monday night, if the House would vote on the Heroes Act 2.0 before Friday.

Lawmakers are expected to be departing Washington this weekend and start focusing on their election campaign.

Hopes for second stimulus payments were rekindled when Pelosi had earlier vowed to keep the House in session until a new COVID-19 relief package is passed and approved.

Pelosi added on her letter that on Monday night, the Democrats had unveiled an updated Heroes Act that serves as their proffer to the Republicans to negotiate and address the country's health and economic catastrophe.

With this new progress, a second round of the one-time $1,200 in stimulus payments is becoming close to reality.

Pelosi explained that they could cut down the amount of the Heroes Act 2.0, by shortening the time that it covers instead of reducing funding programs.

According to Pelosi, the Democrats are making good on their promise with the updated bill, which is necessary to address the immediate health and economic crisis facing America's working families right now.

Should the new bill get approval within this week, there is a big possibility that the IRS could start sending out the first of the second stimulus payments on or before October 12.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has been consistent in saying that as soon as a new COVID-19 relief package is passed and approved, the IRS can start sending the stimulus payments within the week.

In an interview on MSNBC, Pelosi said that her talks with Mnuchin have continued, and the most recent was last Sunday.

Should the newly unveiled COVID-19 relief package by House Democrats met no resistance, the first to get, their stimulus payments are those who gave their bank details to the IRS for direct deposits.

Check these out:

IRS Schedules Second Stimulus Check by October 12 As Soon As Congress Approves

Pelosi to Introduce $2.4 Trillion Stimulus Package with Direct Payments

Stimulus Checks: Key Dates To Remember If You Have Not Received Your Payment