EXPLAINER: COVID relief bill signed by president, $2,000 checks still up for debate

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Sen. Mitch McConnell blocked Democrats’ efforts to quickly pass a bill that would give some Americans $2,000 checks.

But it’s not off the table.

President Donald Trump’s demand to increase the stimulus checks some Americans are set to receive from $600 to $2,000 has Democratic support, but it is unclear whether it will garner enough Republican support to pass.

What does all this mean and what do we know at this point?

On Sunday, President Trump signed a $2.3 trillion bill with two major parts

Here's a breakdown of the COVID Relief Bill and what it could provide. — Here's a breakdown of the COVID Relief Bill and what it could provide.((Source: WIS))

$600 direct payments for some Americans have already been signed into law

Here's a breakdown of the COVID Relief Bill and what it could provide. — Here's a breakdown of the COVID Relief Bill and what it could provide.((Source: WIS))

The bill that passed includes a second round of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
Small business loans available to people who have already received a PPP loan and those who are applying for the first time
Businesses with fewer than 300 employees
Can prove they had a 25% loss in profits in 2020 as compared to the same quarter the year prior

Here's a breakdown of the COVID Relief Bill and what it could provide. — Here's a breakdown of the COVID Relief Bill and what it could provide.((Source: WIS))

President Trump is calling on Congress to now increase direct payments from $600 to $2,000
The U.S. House passed this increase Monday due to support from Democrats but did not receive support from a majority of Republicans
The bill now needs to be passed in the Republican, controlled Senate before becoming law
On Tuesday, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tried to pass the CASH Act quickly but was blocked by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
McConnell controls what bills will make it to the U.S. Senate floor for a vote but has not scheduled one for this increase yet.
The bill needs 60 votes in the Senate to pass
If it passes the Senate, it will need President Trump’s signature to become law.

Here's a breakdown of the COVID Relief Bill and what it could provide. — Here's a breakdown of the COVID Relief Bill and what it could provide.((Source: WIS))

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