Can stimulus package talks resume? What happens now with unemployment benefits, eviction relief and a second check? - CNET

kosongkosonig.blogspot.com

The Aug. 7 deadline for the next stimulus bill has passed, but that doesn't mean talks are over yet.

Sarah Tew/CNET

The Senate's deadline to reach a deal over another stimulus package lapsed Friday, and on Saturday, President Donald Trump issued four unilateral executive actions to bypass a coronavirus relief package slated to include provisions like a second stimulus check, the renewal of enhanced unemployment benefits and extended moratorium on evictions. So what does that mean for the stimulus bill -- are negotiations over and done with?

Not necessarily. In a joint statement on Saturday, Democratic negotiators, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, encouraged talks over the stimulus package to resume. 

"Democrats repeat our call to Republicans to return to the table, meet us halfway and work together to deliver immediate relief to the American people. Lives are being lost, and time is of the essence."

A day before announcing and signing his actions, Trump said his administration was working in "good faith" to reach an agreement with Democratic leaders, and was expected to hold his signature until next week. In his statement supporting the president's decision, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell didn't rule out further talks, though he didn't commit to resuming discussions. 

So what now? Here's what we know today. This story updates often as the news develops. 

CNET Coronavirus Update

Keep track of the coronavirus pandemic.

Scenario 1: A stimulus bill agreement happens next week

As of last week, the House of Representatives and White House negotiators tackling the details of the stimulus proposal have signaled a willingness to continue talks -- as long as both sides budge. (More below for what the sticking points are.)

"The president would like us to make a deal, but unfortunately, we did not make any progress today," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Friday, a day before Trump's executive actions were announced. "To the extent that they are willing to make new proposals,  [White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows] and I will be back any time to listen to new proposals."

If talks pick up again on Monday, the legislation could presumably go to a vote in one chamber as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday. Both chambers must vote before the legislation lands on Trump's desk for his signature. If it follows the timeline for the CARES Act, which was passed in March and has since lapsed, a new bill could become law within three days after the Senate votes.

When could the stimulus bill pass?

	House votes	Senate votes	President signs
Timeline no. 1: Legislation passes next week	Aug. 11	Aug. 12	Aug. 13
	Aug. 12	Aug. 13	Aug. 14
	Aug. 13	Aug. 14	Aug. 17
	Aug. 14	Aug. 17	Aug. 18

Scenario 2: Trump's executive orders don't stick

Following the advice of his advisors, Trump signed one executive order and three memoranda to spur action on eviction relief, extending the enhanced federal unemployment benefits, providing student loan relief and creating a payroll tax cut. The latter has been an agenda item favored by Trump for the stimulus bill but was dropped by the Senate and his negotiators. 

The executive orders have bypassed the negotiations currently taking place between the Democratic-led House and the administration, but detractors have cast doubt whether the actions will effectively help people. There are also questions as to Trump's ability to legally make certain decisions that constitutionally require an act of Congress. And there's been talk that some programs, which are vaguely described, may take months to enact.

If the order and memoranda are tied up in court, that could pave the way for renewed talks by both parties.

Scenario 3: Talks stop, no completion of the executive order

Another option, which could devastate millions of Americans, is that there is no deal at all. This could happen if both sides refuse to return to the table and compromise on the main sticking points in the bill and if Trump's executive actions don't progress. The bill could also die if, after a deal is reached, the Republican-led Senate votes it down after a Democratic-led House vote. 

The end of all talks will be devastating to millions of Americans.

Sarah Tew/CNET

What's been holding up the stimulus deal?

The Senate, House of Representatives and White House all agree a second stimulus check that will send payments directly to Americans is essential to help turn the current recession around. The problem is that Republicans and Democrats can't agree on how much help is needed. 

"There are a lot of areas of compromise," Mnuchin said Friday after another round of talks on the bill. "If we can reach an agreement on state and local and unemployment, we will reach an overall deal. And if we can't, we can't."

Pelosi said that Democrats have attempted compromise, but haven't been met in the middle by Republicans.

"I offered to them, we'll take down a trillion if you add a trillion in," Pelosi said late Friday. "They said, 'Absolutely not.'"  

Schumer echoed Pelosi's sentiments for compromise on the bill. "Meet us in the middle — for God's sake, please — for the sake of America, meet us in the middle," he told Republicans on Friday. 

At issue is the cost of the overall stimulus package. The Senate's HEALS Act would cost $1 trillion, while the House Democrats stipulated $3 trillion total in its Heroes Act proposal from May. (The CARES Act, which delivered $1,200 stimulus checks to Americans earlier this year, was worth $2.2 trillion.)

Democrats and Republicans have been disagreeing on how much relief aid should be included in the stimulus package. 

Sarah Tew/CNET

What else could delay the stimulus package?

After the House votes, the Senate might disagree with certain parts of the bill. If that happens, the Senate can send the bill back to the House with changes and ask Pelosi and the House to agree with those changes. If either the House and the Senate disagree with some portion of a bill, they can call for further negotiations to get to a final version. 

Once the Senate secures a full vote and passes the bill, the legislation moves to Trump's desk. In the typical lawmaking process, the president has 10 days to sign or veto the bill. It's unlikely Trump will wait to sign the bill once it reaches him, since he signed the CARES Act about a day after the Senate passed it. 

There could also be further delays if Trump moves to repurpose unspent federal dollars for unemployment and it's challenged legally.

For more information, we've looked at how soon you might get your second stimulus check and compared the HEALS, CARES and Heroes stimulus proposals.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"What" - Google News
August 09, 2020 at 07:00PM
https://ift.tt/2PDNlmQ

Can stimulus package talks resume? What happens now with unemployment benefits, eviction relief and a second check? - CNET
"What" - Google News
https://ift.tt/3aVokM1
https://ift.tt/2Wij67R

Bagikan Berita Ini