Congress is close to making a Covid relief deal that could include $600 checks for Americans who face hardship if their unemployment benefits expire on Dec. 26.
Congressional leaders were close to making a $900 billion Covid relief deal on Wednesday morning. Negotiations include a new round of stimulus checks.
Sen. John Thune told reporters he believed stimulus checks of $600 or $700 were part of discussions. He said the amount of the checks would be “double that for family and kids.”
He added that the extra unemployment benefit under discussion was about $300 per week — half of the $600 per week sent out earlier this year.
Lawmakers say the Corona relief package could “hitch a ride” on the government spending bill that must pass by Friday to avoid a government shutdown.
The $600 stimulus checks could arrive in the mail or via direct deposit by Dec. 31 if lawmakers can make a deal this week.
