Second Stimulus Check Update: Pelosi Doubtful Relief Bill Will Be Passed Before Election

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday said she is doubtful that a relief bill will be passed before Election Day despite indicating progress in her ongoing negotiations with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

Speaking to a group of reporters at the Capitol, the California Democrat revealed it could take longer to write and vote on another coronavirus aid bill. She also said that while she and the White House are near reaching a deal, it will take time to write a bill.

"If we can resolve some of these things in the next few days, it'll take a while to write the bill," Pelosi said, Forbes reported.

During the press briefing, Pelosi said they are still ironing out spending issues, including federal aid to state and local governments, healthcare spending, and liability protections for businesses. However, the house speaker revealed that they have "come to terms" on the provisions for a second round of $1,200 stimulus checks.

The coronavirus pandemic is showing a resurgence in recent weeks, specifically in the Midwest and the West. The latest data from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reveals that nearly 78 million Americans are struggling to pay for household expenses.

The data collected from Sept. 16-28 showed that 32% of adults said they had difficulties covering expenses for food, rent, and student loans. In households with children, 40% of adults said they were struggling.

Forty-eight percent of Black respondents and 45% of Latinos reported difficulty paying for basic necessities. Forty percent of the people belonging to other racial groups also said they had trouble paying for usual household expenses.

Earlier this month, President Trump pushed for a stand-alone bill for the $1,200 stimulus checks after he abruptly suspended negotiations over the next round of coronavirus relief.

If Pelosi and Mnuchin can strike a deal within the week, it will need the support of Senate Republicans who have repeatedly opposed the spending levels that leaders of both parties are planning.

According to Senator Chris Van Hollen, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell urged the White House to reject any deal reached before the election, Fox News reported.

"He has told the Trump administration, 'Don't you dare come up with a big comprehensive plan because we don't want that in the United States Senate,'" Van Hollen said. "Senate Republicans don't want it. Mitch McConnell has been very clear about that.'"