President Trump says the 2nd round of economic impact payments may be “way higher” than the $1,200 most Americans received earlier this year.
Phase 4 of the comprehensive Coronavirus relief bill will not be voted on by tonight’s deadline (July 31). The White House and Republicans in the Senate are working on a smaller bill than the one proposed by House Democrats.
The Republican’s economic stimulus bill would extend the federal unemployment benefits – but at a lower amount: $200 per week in addition to state benefits. The bill would also provide protection for renters who face evictions.
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and Steven Mnuchin, Secretary of the Treasury, met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday to offer 4 proposals.
One proposal would extend the $600 federal benefits for one week to give more time for negotiations. But Pelosi and Schumer rejected the proposals.
On Friday, Trump said, “The Democrats do not care about the people of our country.”
But Pelosi said Trump and the Republicans don’t care about the American people. “They resent America’s working families.”
Republicans say the extra $600 benefit is a “disincentive” for Americans to go back to work because some people are making more money on unemployment than they would if they were working.
