Congress is on the clock to reach a deal before breaking for the election.
Sarah Tew/CNETNegotiations to nail down another economic stimulus bill continue, but there is still no clear path to passing legislation before the Nov. 3 election. On Friday, the White House delivered a $1.8 trillion stimulus proposal to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Now the pitch is in the crosshairs from both sides of the aisle.
“Unfortunately, the Trump administration proposal does not meet the health needs of this crisis,” Pelosi wrote on Sunday.
Republican opposition is so hardened among Senate Republicans, who resist a larger deal, that White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows told fellow Republicans on a call, “You all will have to come to my funeral” when he told Trump about opposition to the bill, The Washington Post reported Meadows saying. However, both sides say they want Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to keep negotiating.
With the Nov. 3 election just a hair over three weeks away and early voting underway, Washington lawmakers have explored options ranging from the comprehensive rescue package to standalone bills for a second stimulus check and assistance for the airline industry. The final bill is expected to include a direct payment of up to $1,200 per person and a change in eligibility rules for dependents that could yield more money for families.
“I don’t think it is dead at all,” White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union. “If an agreement can be reached, [Senate Republicans] will go along with it.” In a letter released Sunday, Mnuchin and Meadows are now calling to repurpose PPP money for stimulus funding, though it isn’t enough for a stimulus check.
Keep reading for more clarity on the twists and turns of stimulus talks. We update this story often.
Watch this: Next stimulus checks: What to expect
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Why did Trump initially pause stimulus talks?
On Oct. 5, Pelosi said negotiators would reach a deal on a comprehensive package “one way or another,” despite sticking points. So why did Trump initially pull the plug a day later?
According to Trump on Oct. 6, his belief that a deal on a stimulus package wouldn’t be reached in the short time left and desire to quickly confirm Supreme Court associate justice nominee Amy Coney Barrett, led to the decision. It’s been suggested that Trump and fellow high-ranking Republicans who tested positive for COVID-19 acquired the coronavirus on Barrett’s nomination day, at events where mask wearing was not universal.
A tweet from Trump early Tuesday expressed a desire for more aid clearly: “When, immediately after I win, we will pass a major Stimulus Bill that focuses on hardworking Americans and Small Business,” he tweeted. By Friday, however, efforts to put together an overarching bill had redoubled.
It’s also been suggested that a phone call Tuesday with Senate Majority Mitch McConnell, who was skeptical that the bill would pass the Senate, prompted Trump’s abrupt end to talks. It’s also been suggested that the tremendous backlash from economists, businesses and even members of his own party, coupled with an immediate stock market drop, also propelled him to change course and embrace a larger package once again.
When could a new relief bill potentially pass?
Pelosi said Tuesday evening that Congress could pick up the thread on another economic rescue package following the election. But with Trump urging action now, we’ve suggested five possible dates, based on the new timeline, both before and after the November election. These are speculative only. In the case of a second stimulus check, here’s how quickly we think the IRS could send one.
When could a stand-alone stimulus bill or package pass?
| House votes | Senate votes | President signs |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 26 | Oct. 27 | Oct. 28 |
| Nov. 9 | Nov. 10 | Nov. 11 |
| Nov. 16 | Nov. 17 | Nov. 18 |
| Nov. 23 | Nov. 24 | Nov. 25 |
| Feb. 1, 2021 | Feb. 2, 2021 | Feb. 3, 2021 |
Didn’t the House just pass a new stimulus bill? What’s the story?
On Oct. 1, the House of Representatives passed a revised Heroes Act that includes a second stimulus check and additional benefits such as enhanced unemployment benefits for tens of millions of Americans. The new House bill, endorsed primarily by Democrats, has little chance of advancing through the Republican-controlled Senate, though.
According to Pelosi, the vote on the revised Heroes bill was independent of ongoing negotiations with Mnuchin. If Pelosi and Mnuchin do agree on a new proposal, a new bill would need to be separately drafted and voted on in both the House and Senate before being signed into law. The total cost of the package and funding allocations like a child tax credit have remained chief sticking points.
Will America pass a new stimulus bill? Both sides agree more aid is necessary.
Angela Lang/CNETWhy did the House vote on Heroes 2.0 if talks are continuing?
The vote is thought to provide cover for House Democrats as they campaign without a new relief bill, much as the Senate did earlier in September for Republican members with its $650 billion skinny bill. Like the skinny Senate bill, this new House proposal has little chance of advancing in the other chamber.
What areas do Democrats and Republicans agree on?
Proposals from both sides include another stimulus payment of up to $1,200 for individuals who meet the requirements, among topics like aid for airlines, coronavirus testing and extending the Paycheck Protection Program for businesses.
Democrats and Republicans have disagreed on how much relief aid should be included in the stimulus package.
Sarah Tew/CNETWith talks dragging on, could Trump take executive action?
After talks originally collapsed on Aug. 7, Trump signed an executive order and three memoranda the following day. It’s possible more executive actions could be forthcoming if this final attempt at negotiations fails before the election, though there’s been no development after Trump first suggested his administration might consider another executive action to bypass Congress.
It’s unclear if Trump would pursue more unilateral action at this point.
Pelosi expressed doubt about Trump’s ability to use executive orders for additional relief funding.
“No. No. He can’t do this by executive order,” she said Oct. 5. “He can’t do the money without the Congress of the United States. The power of the purse begins in the House.”
Trump’s previous COVID-19 relief executive actions address trying to slow evictions, extending unemployment benefits to a lesser degree and deferring payroll taxes until next year.
So what happens now?
The situation is still in flux. For now, we wait to see if there are any developments. Anything could still happen.
For more information, here’s how soon you might get your second stimulus check and what to know about the HEALS, CARES and Heroes stimulus bill proposals that could help inform a final package.