CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Congress is working on a second COVID-19 stimulus package, with Democrats, Republicans and President Donald Trump voicing their support for more relief for Americans struggling during the pandemic.
But there's just one hangup: Lawmakers can't agree on what should be included in the new relief bill.
Congress hopes to have the second relief bill finished by the end of July and the biggest question remains if there will be another round of stimulus checks for Americans. It's looking pretty likely at this point, but who would receive checks remains unclear, with Republicans pushing for income restrictions on those payments.
The House has already passed the Democratic bill, which would give single taxpayers up to $1,200 and up to $2,400 for joint filers. Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wants those payments sent to people who earn less than $40,000 a year.
“Liability reform, kids in school, jobs and health care," he said. "That’s where the focus, it seems to me, ought to be."
Perhaps the even bigger debate is what happens to the extra $600 that's being added to unemployment checks due to the CARES Act. That bonus goes away this month, and Republicans have argued that amount of money is too high, discouraging people from getting a job. Democrats say they want it renewed while the unemployment rate remains high.