Many Americans hoping another round of stimulus checks would soon be hitting their bank accounts may have to wait a little longer thanks to Congress calling a short recess following the conclusion of former President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial.
From Fox Business:
Following the conclusion of former president Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, the House and Senate are schedule to take a short recess this upcoming week, delaying Congress’ effort to deliver a third round of stimulus checks and other much-needed relief to the American people.
Lawmakers will reconvene on February 22, when they will iron out the outstanding details of President Biden’s $1.9 trillion proposal.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters on Thursday that she hopes the relief package will be approved “by the end of February so we can send it to the presidentâs desk before unemployment benefits expireâ on March 14.
Having now failed twice to convict Trump in an impeachment trial, Congress is taking time off while many Americans wonder about the fate of the new stimulus legislation.
But a former president and a short vacation aren’t the only thing holding back stimulus from becoming reality, as many lawmakers disagree on some key aspects of the legislation. Rather than seek bipartisan support for the bill, Democrats have moved to pass it piecemeal through the budget reconciliation process, bypassing the need for Republican support by only requiring a simple majority to approve.
The stimulus also faces challenges from Democrats, most notably Sen. Joe Manchin, who has said he wants a more targeted approach to this round of checks that could see higher earning Americans left out.
Manchin, well known as one of the most centrist Democrats, represents a critical vote the party cannot afford to lose in a deadlocked 50-50 Senate.
The current structure of the bill would see $1,400 checks sent to every American earning less than $75,000, while every couple making below $150,000 would be entitled to $2,800.
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