Stimulus Check Update: Mnuchin, Pelosi To Speak Again After Previous Failed Discussion

The second round of stimulus checks will be discussed again by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday.

After an hour-long phone call on Monday, Pelosi and Mnuchin yielded no new progress on the next COVID-19 relief bill, including the second round of stimulus checks. However, on Tuesday, Pelosi and Mnuchin are expected to talk again, the IB Times reported.

The White House and the Democratic leader will continue bipartisan talks in attempt to strike an elusive coronavirus relief bill that would include another round of $1,200 direct payment to Americans. According to CNBC, aside from direct payment, the relief bill would also have the $600 weekly unemployment benefits, federal aid to local and state governments, and funding for the restaurant and airline industries.

According to CNBC, the Democratic leader and the White House will continue bipartisan talks to try to strike an elusive pandemic relief bill that would likely include another $1,200 direct payment to Americans, $600 weekly unemployment benefits, federal aid to state and local governments, and funds for the airline and restaurant industries.

The Republicans and Democratic negotiators have been pushing in recent days to reach an aid agreement and provide more stimulus payments to millions of Americans prior to the presidential election on November 3. Weeks ago, several lifelines set up by Washington had expired. However, Mnuchin and Pelosi can reach a deal. The top negotiators would need to craft a proposal that can earn valid votes to pass in the Republican-held Senate.

Last week, Democrats passed a $2.2 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, but the Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., refused to bring the bill on the floor for a vote. The White House has offered a counter-proposal for a $1.6 trillion plan.

The Trump administration's proposal includes $400 weekly unemployment benefits, liability protections for businesses, and $250 billion relief for local and state governments. The Democrats, however, resisted legal shields for the companies.

Representative Kevin Brady, R-Texas, said that the White House's proposal would encourage Americans to stay home. Brady added that another point of the refusal between both parties is the price tag of the funds to support state, local, and tribal governments.

If both parties can strike an agreement, the bill would have to pass both the Senate and the House before President Donald Trump will sign the bill. The discussions for the second round of stimulus check could take a week between when a deal is reached and when both parties can vote on a new bill, Politico reported.

Previously, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that the IRS and his department could release 50 million stimulus payments within a week of a bill passing. The House is now in recess but is expected to reconvene Friday, but they could be called back any time to make a vote. McConnell also suspended the Senate until October 19.

Check these out:

Court Orders IRS to Pay $100 Million Worth of $1,200 Stimulus Checks to Prisoners

Any Bipartisan Stimulus Deal Will Include More $1,200 Direct Payments, Mnuchin Says

Stimulus Check: Role of Taxes and Everything You Need to Know