As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt economies around the world, governments are taking measures to support citizens and businesses. In the United States, the government has already passed several stimulus packages in an effort to mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic. However, with the pandemic still raging on, talks of a new stimulus package have been ongoing.
So, did they come to an agreement on the new stimulus package? The short answer is yes and no.
On December 20, 2020, a new stimulus package was passed by Congress and signed by the President. This $900 billion package included measures such as direct payments of $600 to individuals, enhanced unemployment benefits, and aid for small businesses, among other things. This was seen as a much-needed relief to millions of Americans struggling due to the pandemic.
However, since then, there have been talks about increasing the amount of the direct payments, with some lawmakers pushing for payments of $2,000 instead of $600. This move was met with resistance from some Republicans, who argued that the increased payments would be too costly and that the money would be better used elsewhere.
Despite this, on December 28, 2020, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would increase the direct payments to $2,000. However, the bill faced opposition in the Senate, and it was not brought up for a vote. As of now, it is unclear if there will be any further negotiations on the matter.
In conclusion, while a new stimulus package has been passed, there are still ongoing discussions about the specific details of the package. It remains to be seen if any further action will be taken to increase the amount of direct payments or if lawmakers will focus on other measures to provide relief to Americans during this difficult time. Nevertheless, it is clear that the pandemic has had a profound impact on the economy, and it is essential that measures are taken to support those who have been affected.