Second stimulus check: September 8 and 14, key dates for the second round of payments
It could be another month at least until Americans receive a second $1,200 stimulus payment as Congress adjourned for recess without striking a deal.
Congress adjourned for the August recess on Monday 10th and now will not return until after Labor Day on 7 September. It means that with no deal on the table for a new Coronavirus relief package, Americans face over a month’s wait for a second $1,200 stimulus check. The earliest that a deal could be struck will be after Congress returns from vacation on 8 September but even then, it's unlikely that anything will happen immediately. The House of Representatives is not due to reconvene for votes until 14 September although members will remain on stand-by to return to Washington at 24-hours’ notice in the remote scenario that a deal on new stimulus legislation is struck. For any new bill to be passed, members are required to cast their vote in person and so would have to be recalled from vacation.
See also:
Busy month ahead for Congress
The House also has other fiscal policy deadlines coming up including the Federal Budget and National Flood Insurance Program, both of which must be resolved by the end of September so it’s going to be a busy month.
Republicans and Democrats agree that while another direct payment to the public is needed and have proposed a second round of $1,200 stimulus payments to those earning less than $75,000 per year, they have not been able to agree on other aspects of a new relief package. Four days ago, on 14 August, Trump tweeted: “I have directed @stevenmnuchin1 to get ready to send direct payments ($3,400 for family of four) to all Americans. DEMOCRATS ARE HOLDING THIS UP!”
Democrats originally proposed a $3.4 trillion HEROES Act stimulus package – part of which would have included a second round of $1,200 stimulus payments to all Americans. But Democrats and Republicans have not reached any middle ground on other issues contained within the proposal such as unemployment benefits and school funding.
So if new legislation is approved by the House next month, the earliest that the Inland Revenue Service (IRS) could begin issuing the second wave of stimulus payments would be the week starting 21 September. For that to happen, a chain of events would need to occur - the Senate would need to pass the final bill on 8 September; the House passing it the following day and it being signed off by Trump on the 10th. All of that happening smoothly and without any setbacks however, looks a little unrealistic at this point in time.
See also
Second stimulus check update: why is there no agreement?
Second stimulus check: how to receive it faster
Why has South Dakota rejected the $300-a-week unemployment benefit?