Stimulus negotiations face a stormy week of demands as pressure builds to reach a deal - CNET

A smaller stimulus bill has a chance of making it through before the end of 2020.

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Lawmakers are working through another weekend in an effort to nail down legal language for a COVID-19 rescue bill before the end of 2020. But they're unlikely to face a warm welcome from either party. The deep divisions that have stymied a stimulus package since May have taken new forms in the past week, with Republicans and Democrats breaking ranks to voice their demands as to what absolutely should and shouldn't be in the final package.

A coronavirus aid proposal before January 1 is now considered more of an emergency legislation than a sweeping deal like the $2 trillion CARES Act from March, which authorized a $1,200 stimulus check for most Americans. It's now a second check that presents a steep hurdle, along with funding for state and local budgets, and debate over  liability protection to keep businesses and institutions from being sued over COVID-19 transmission. 

"There's a frustration and an anger in the electorate that's starting to ripple through the United States," said Rep. Denver Riggleman, a Virginia Republican, according to Politico. "It's time for us to do something to get off our damn asses."

Since last week, a flurry of proposals and counterproposals has muddied the already murky waters with new and different approaches to a COVID-19 rescue bill that may or may not deliver a second stimulus payment.

The latest proposals include:

Though Congress is hoping to wrap up its business next week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said if lawmakers don't pass more aid by next Friday, Dec. 18, Congress could keep working through the end of the month. 

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"We've been here after Christmas, you know. We were here five years ago," Pelosi said Thusday during her weekly press conference. "People do want to get home for the holidays, such as that is. But what's more important is that we get the job done for the American people before the holidays."

Earlier this week, the $908 billion bipartisan proposal was viewed by Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and others in Congress as the last, best chance to re-fund sorely needed economic aid, including extra unemployment benefits and small-business wages, before protections expire at the end of the year. 

"This relief package won't be the total answer even if it gets passed, but it's an important first step. There's so much we have to do," President-elect Joe Biden said Friday.

On the Republican side, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell proposed several times this week that the bill should drop the two thorniest issues -- funding for state and local programs and a liability shield to protect businesses from COVID-19 related lawsuits -- and instead pass a bill focusing on the areas of agreement. But McConnell's opponents view the trade-off as a dealbreaker, arguing that state funding is necessary to help pay for firefighters and sanitation workers. 

More stimulus money for the country and its citizens hangs in the balance.

Sarah Tew/CNET

The cost of not passing more aid before Dec. 31 is expected to be steep. Tens of millions of Americans will be left without any federal support for weeks, while hunger and evictions mount and COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths soar. As of Dec. 12, nearly 300,000 Americans have died from the coronavirus. 

If Congress decides to wait until 2021 to act, it could fall to Biden to push for more aid after he takes office Jan. 20.

Here's what we know about where negotiations stand right now and what could happen before the end of the year.

Read more: What Biden could do for stimulus if another bill doesn't pass

When could Congress pass a new stimulus bill?

Here are some possible scenarios that could play out over the coming weeks and months, depending on how negotiations settle in Washington.

When could a stimulus bill or package pass?

House votes	Senate votes	President signs
Dec 16	Dec 17	Dec 18
Feb 1, 2021 (after inauguration)	Feb 2	Feb 3
Feb 16 (Feb 15 is President's Day)	Feb 16	Feb 16
March 15	March 16	March 17

What are the stimulus bill options?

If a stimulus bill is completed this year or before Jan. 20: With an agreement made, the current House and Senate would vote before the new Congress is seated in early January. If outgoing President Donald Trump then signed the rescue bill into law, aid would likely begin to go out within weeks, with certain groups possibly receiving financial help before the end of 2020.

If negotiators agree on a stimulus deal, but it fails in either the House or Senate: In this situation, Democrats and Republicans could advance their own proposals that might pass in their majority chambers but fail (or fail to be considered) by the other. In this case, Congress might try again after Biden is sworn in as president.

A smaller bill could pass now and a larger one could happen later: It's possible that a subset of programs would get funded before Biden becomes president -- for example, unemployment aid, an extension of the eviction ban or even a second check, with the new Congress revisiting other programs after the inauguration. As the sitting president, Trump would need to sign any bill passed before Jan. 20 into law for it to take effect.

Stimulus negotiations are under incredible stress.

Sarah Tew/CNET

If talks once again fall apart until after Jan. 20: If partisan differences keep a bill from passing, it's possible they'll restart in some capacity after Biden's inauguration in January. Here are some executive actions Biden could take immediately once president if a stimulus bill hasn't passed by the time he's sworn in.

If a bill does pass that includes a direct payment, here's how quickly we think the IRS could send a second stimulus check.

Why the Democrats' stimulus proposal from this summer still matters

On Oct. 1, the House of Representatives passed a revised Heroes Act that included a second stimulus check and additional benefits, such as enhanced unemployment benefits for tens of millions of Americans. The House bill, endorsed primarily by Democrats, was not expected to advance through the Republican-controlled Senate -- and indeed did not.

Although it's not law, this bill provides the talking points Pelosi was working with prior to the bipartisan proposal and might return to next year, if another stimulus proposal picks up steam after Biden's inauguration. This revised Heroes Act has Biden's support and could figure into future negotiations, depending on whether Georgia's state runoff on Jan. 5 gives Democrats control of the Senate (Republicans currently maintain a two-seat lead).

What do Republicans and Democrats agree on?

Proposals from both sides have included the Paycheck Protection Program for businesses, enhanced unemployment insurance and another stimulus payment of up to $1,200 for individuals who meet the requirements. Although not every benefit would make it into a smaller bill, if that were to pass first, these other relief measures are most likely to gain bipartisan support. The two sides also agree on more financial assistance for coronavirus testing and vaccine deployment.

Here are more details on the biggest points of contention between the White House, Republicans and Democrats.

For more information about stimulus checks, here's how soon you might get your second stimulus check now, what you should do to speed up the delivery of a potential second check, and what to know about the HEALS, CARES and Heroes stimulus bill proposals that could help inform a final package.

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