Congressional leaders are said to be nearing an agreement on a COVID-19 stimulus bill that will include a new round of stimulus checks to millions of Americans, according to reporting by The Washington Post.
Details on the new package, built on proposed legislation by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, have not yet been announced.
There is a rush to complete the deal, however, as the government is set for a partial shut down as of midnight on Friday. A separate spending bill to avoid the shutdown is also being worked on and expected to pass soon.
The first direct payment sent to Americans in April included a $1,200 check for adults ($2,400 per couple) plus $500 each for dependent children.
Details have not been finalized on how much would be in the checks. The Post reported that they would likely be $1,200, but according to The Associated Press, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, said the checks could be in the $600 range.
After two meetings with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-California, gave an upbeat assessment, the AP reported.
“I think we’ve built a lot of trust,” McCarthy said. “I think we’re moving in the right direction. I think there’s a possibility of getting it done.”
Legislators were looking at an economic stimulus bill that would cost upwards of $700 billion. The addition of the stimulus checks will increase the cost of the bill to around $900 billion, the Post reported.
Check back here through the day for updates on the package and the stimulus checks.