After failing to put together a second stimulus package ahead of next week's elections, lawmakers from both parties in Washington are cautiously optimistic that an agreement on Stimulus Check 2 will be reached in the coming months [The Hill reported that several top Senate Republicans, who have largely stayed away from negotiations between House Democrats and the Trump administration, are open to additional easing once Election Day pressures subside

"The level of motivation on both sides will depend on the outcome of the election, but I think we'll do something anyway," said Senate Republican John Thune (R-South Dakota)

"That's the extent of the problem"

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (R-Calif) said Thursday that she hopes to have an agreement with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin by the end of the year, according to Politico magazine Earlier in the day, both parties were keeping their fingers crossed, casting doubt on earlier optimism about a future consensus

"If they don't want the bill, why talk to them? Pelosi said

Of course, talks have been ongoing since late summer and so far have yielded no meaningful results But as The Hill points out, lawmakers may be more receptive to an agreement after November 3, since it is difficult to get a bill passed in the months leading up to the election

Pelosi and Mnuchin were close to an agreement similar to the House's $22 trillion revised HEROES Act, which passed a vote earlier this fall

They were still at odds over several specific provisions, including the amount of aid to state and local governments and whether to provide coronavirus-related liability protection for businesses

Both sides, however, were in favor of providing a second stimulus package of $1,200 to eligible taxpayers

The Senate, on the other hand, has resisted even nearly $22 trillion in spending A recent $500 billion Republican "skinny" bill (not including Stimulus 2) was blocked by Democrats

It is unclear which direction lawmakers will move after Election Day, but it will likely depend on which party wins the White House and the Senate