Negotiations on the second round of stimulus negotiations between Congress and the White House could reach an agreement this week However, the Senate may have to delay the start of the August 10 recess in order to finalize eligibility for Stimulus 2 and the implementation date of Stimulus 2

House Democrats, Senate Republicans, and the White House are in general agreement on the need for Stimulus Check 2, but are far from a consensus on measures such as eviction protection and continued federal unemployment benefits

The $600 weekly federal unemployment benefit expired on July 31, and the parties have different ideas about continuing, phasing out, or ending this special relief measure

However, if lawmakers cannot resolve their differences over federal unemployment benefits and pass a new stimulus package by the end of the week, they may decide to postpone the recess

"How would it feel to go home with this issue unresolved," Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) told the Washington Post 'This is the most important thing we need to do'

The House of Representatives began its recess on July 31 and is in its scheduled district work period through September 8 However, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-NY) is in Washington for negotiations

According to the Washington Post, at least Democrats and the White House are expected to reach an agreement by the end of this week, with a vote scheduled for the following week It is not certain whether House members will have to return to Washington for that vote

One of the main issues that needs to be reconciled is the future of federal unemployment benefits Under the CARES law passed earlier this spring, unemployed workers received an additional $600 per week from the federal government in addition to state unemployment benefits

This funding expired on July 31, leaving millions of unemployed workers with significantly less weekly unemployment benefits to cover their costs

Under the Senate HEALS Act, federal unemployment benefits would continue for only two months at $200 per week, after which states are expected to transition to a system that pays up to 70% of a worker's previous earnings

House Democrats are pushing to extend the $600 weekly benefit through January, while another group of Republican senators is proposing a gradual phase-out of federal unemployment benefits through October

Meanwhile, the American people will likely wait several weeks for additional relief to arrive in their mailboxes

Stimulus check 2 seems almost certain, but the exact amount is not yet known, as several proposals are flying around

The Senate's HEALS Act would send a check for $1,200 to eligible Americans and a check for $500 for each dependent who applies, regardless of age Another Republican proposal would provide $1,000 per individual (adult or child) and would reduce benefits for those without dependents but potentially increase benefits for families

The House HEROES Act, on the other hand, would provide $1,200 per individual, including dependents of any age, and up to $6,000 per family

In both cases, benefits would begin on a phased-in basis for single individuals with annual incomes of $75,000 or more and married individuals with annual incomes of $150,000 or more

If you have not yet received your first stimulus check, use the IRS Get My Payment app to check the status or call the IRS stimulus check phone number to speak with a representative