Senate Reveals Plan On Second Coronavirus Package

On Thursday, Mitch McConnell, the Senate Majority Leader revealed that the Republican is planning on another coronavirus relief package that would include a second stimulus check. The plan for the second coronavirus relief package is in response to the incessant request for it since the federal $600 would soon expire. 

In addition to this, the government revealed that just last week, more than 1.4 million workers filed for claims for state unemployment benefits. 

"If a company has to die because the world has changed permanently, let it die." Shark Tank's Kevin O'leary says U.S. government should not establish more relief programs for businesses impacted by the coronavirus. https://t.co/pzHARbGglT pic.twitter.com/TM3uCjKiaw

— CNBC (@CNBC) July 22, 2020

According to Forbes, instead of addressing the plan by putting forward one bill, Mitch McConnell said he would send out different checks addressing various stimulus packages. The bill would be released next week. 

Mitch McConnell said “The Trump administration has requested additional time to review the fine details, but we will be laying down the proposal early next week. We have an agreement in principle on the shape of the package.”

Steven Mnuchin, Treasury Secretary,  revealed that the next coronavirus stimulus package would entail a direct payment to Americans. However, there is no news yet on the exact amount the beneficiaries would collect. As it is, the House and Senate are yet to agree on the exact amount that would be paid direct payment.

Notwithstanding, the house has already passed the second set of $1,200 payments which is included in the Heroes Act that was passed in May. The current debate in the House is whether to make direct payments less than $1,200 or to reduce the number of families or individuals to benefit from the stimulus.

On Thursday, in a report by CNN, Mnuchin said that the Republican coronavirus relief plan will extend enhanced unemployment insurance “based on approximately 70% wage replacement.”  

After the first stimulus check was disbursed, the Republicans withheld the plan on the second stimulus in order to study how the coronavirus would be in the next few months. However, reports revealed that the number of infected persons has increased drastically as more and more people are contracting the virus. Hospitals in states such as Texas, Florida, California, and Arizona are almost filled to the brim. 

Even the President of the United States, Donald Trump who has been a hard no on a face mask for months stated earlier this week that it is patriotic to wear a face mask. 

Currently, the United States has more than 4 million cases of coronavirus with more than 145,000 deaths. 

If the Senate Leader refuses to reveal the details of the bill this week, by next week Monday, the legislatures would only have 10 days to come to an agreement. As it is, there is no likelihood that a deal would be made before the Senate go on recess on August 7. If this be the case, the Chamber would only be able to return after Labour day.