The second round of the stimulus package could be $2,000, not just $1,200, if a group of lawmakers can garner enough support to include the check in the next COVID-19 bailout package

According to Business Insider, 17 Democratic House members, all members of the left-leaning Congressional Progressive Caucus, have written a letter2 expressing support for a larger stimulus check of "at least $2,000 for every working individual and family" as well as enhanced unemployment benefits for six months to Congressional leaders in a letter expressing their support for the "economic stimulus package

Representatives Pramila Jayapal (R-WA), Ro Khanna (R-CA), Barbara Lee (R-CA), Katie Porter (R-CA), Ilhan Omar ( (R-Minnesota), and Rep Rashida Tlaib (R-Michigan) are participating in this effort

Proponents of the $2,000 stimulus check include House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), and Chuck Schumer Senate Majority Leader (Democrat, R-NY)

The four party leaders, considered key players in the current stimulus bill negotiations, reportedly met in person for the first time in months on Tuesday to discuss both a government spending framework and a new bailout package

In order to pass another stimulus bill, Pelosi and McConnell will need to compromise Nevertheless, Pelosi has called for a total of over $2 trillion in bailout spending, including two stimulus checks of $1,200 per eligible person, while McConnell has remained in favor of a bill with a targeted amount of $500 billion without stimulus checks

Two bipartisan bills totaling approximately $900 billion introduced by Senate moderates have received tentative support from President-elect Joe Biden; one bill contains provisions that most senators can agree on, and the package is being positively considered However, the bill does not include any additional stimulus, as it is believed that a package totaling over $1 trillion would not pass the Republican-controlled Senate

The White House has proposed a bill totaling approximately $920 billion, which includes a $600 stimulus check, half the amount specified in the CARES Act in March

It is therefore unlikely that any congressional leaders will agree to a $2,000 stimulus package Tuesday's meeting produced little news, but there may be a resolution on unemployment and other issues

In their letter, the congressional delegation did not indicate who may or may not qualify for the $2,000 stimulus package However, one can infer how it might work from past legislation, bailout negotiations, and eligibility for the first stimulus check

If they qualify for the first stimulus check, they should qualify for Stimulus 2, which should be included in the next stimulus package

Recall: those with annual income of $75,000 or less on their most recent tax return are eligible to receive the full $1,200 stimulus check Married taxpayers or joint filers with annual income of $150,000 or less are eligible for $2,400

Those earning more than that (up to $100,000 per taxpayer per year) could receive a prorated amount

Have you tried the Stimulus Check #2 Calculator to see how much you will receive in your second round of stimulus checks? Be sure to check back for updates on the second round of stimulus checks