Second round of $1,200 stimulus checks may be delayed MORE by DNC and RNC
THE second round of $1,200 stimulus checks may be delayed because of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, experts say.
As Congress lavishes in its summer recess away from negotiating the much needed coronavirus relief checks, political experts say negotiations won't be happening until the DNC and RNC are over.
"Neither party wants to give the other what would be spun as a political victory during their convention week," Kent Syler, a political scientist at Middle Tennessee State University and a former Democratic congressional aide, USA Today.
The open-ended talks prove to be a large obstacle for lawmakers hoping to win reelection in November.
"It’s not a good picture for members of Congress facing reelection to take into November," Professor of political science at Rutgers University-New Brunswick Ross Baker said.
"The prospect of Congress' failure to pass an additional package of relief measures and not getting the appropriations done is very grim," he continued.
The thought was echoed by lawmakers.
"When the relief ran out, I do think that there was a hope, probably almost an expectation, by people that Congress would come together and get it done,” said Rep. Susan Wild, a Pennsylvania Democrat who flipped a red seat in 2018. “And so when there wasn't, I think there was ... sort of a state of disbelief."
Negotiations tapered off in early August before Congress went on recess, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democrats willing to move their $3 trillion stimulus proposal down to $2 trillion only if Republicans pushed their $1 trillion proposal up to $2 trillion.
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Talks were stymied after Republicans proposed a $500 billion plan $1200 stimulus checks for Americans. Other lawmakers like Senator have said this might be the route to go in order to ensure money goes to the most impacted.
While the White House continues to Democrats and lawmakers are working to create a new deal, many experts argue there is little hope negotiations would come to a conclusion any time soon for fear of repercussions come Election Day.
"Incumbents running for reelection have the most to lose if voters decide that Washington is broken," Syler ended. "This fact is not lost on those participating in this political drama. It may ultimately be this fear of voter rebellion in November that gets us a deal."
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