Second round of stimulus checks could be stopped by Republicans

The US government are still considering sending out a second coronavirus stimulus check in May but some Republicans might stop that idea in its tracks as they put more focus on opening up the economy again rather than public spending. One republican senator said "people want ice water in hell too" before saying he was against public spending.

Previously, Donald Trump said he would "take a little bit of a pause" after the first check was sent out but he was said to be keen to send out another stimulus check while also looking for a tax cut for businesses and business owners. “I think that’s something that we are studying very carefully, that I know that people in the House are as well,” economic advisor to the White House, Kevin Hassett, told reporters at the White House.

In previous comments adviser Hasset had said that it was very likely that there would be a fourth phase of relief, saying that he knew "Senator [Mitch] McConnel and Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi are working on that... so I think the odds of there not being another round... are pretty low." McConnell has said though that litigation was a red line for Republicans, as fears grow over huge law suits from companies.

Republicans against more spending, second stimulus check

"Well people in hell want ice water too," said Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) when asked about another round of checks according to The Hill. "I mean, everybody has an idea and a bill, usually to spend more money. It’s like a Labor Day mattress sale around here."

“I wasn't a real big supporter of that in the first round,” he said. “This isn't your classic recession.”

“The real stimulus that’s going to change the trajectory that we're on is going to be the economy, not government checks,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). “So I doubt there will be another payment.”

“We’re at a point where it’s going to be a discussion point. Because in Wyoming, we’re opening again, many communities are. It’s just a matter of how long it takes to really get the economy open again. If it takes too long, then we’re likely to have to do that,” said Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.).