Second Stimulus Check Update: Pelosi, Mnuchin Move 'Closer' To Signing Relief Bill Deal

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin moved closer to signing a coronavirus relief deal as they continued to resolve differences during a 48-minute phone call on Wednesday.

Drew Hammill, Pelosi's spokesman, tweeted that both parties are near "being able to put pen to paper to write legislation." He also said they hope to continue narrowing differences with committee chairs' guidance on several money-spending issues, including health priorities such as COVID-19 testing and contact tracing, and education.

The phone call came after Senate Democrats blocked a $500 billion coronavirus stimulus package backed by the GOP. The measure failed to garner the 60 votes needed to pass, CNBC reported.

The legislation included provisions for more funds for small businesses, many of which are struggling to keep their doors open, under the Paycheck Protection Program. It would have revived the weekly unemployment benefits, though the amount would be reduced to $300. Businesses also would receive liability protection. However, the GOP-led bill did not include another round of stimulus checks.

The Senate's stalemate comes as millions of Americans are unable to afford food as well as necessities such as housing and utilities while they await a second round of $1,200 direct payments.

Republicans in Congress have continued to push back against the Democrat's $2 trillion bill and the White House's $1.8 trillion relief proposal.

However, when Pelosi appeared on MSNBC on Wednesday ahead of her negotiations with Mnuchin, she said that while they may not reach an agreement before Election Day, a bill will arrive "shortly thereafter."

If Pelosi and Mnuchin can strike a deal, and if it passes the Senate and is signed into law, more Americans may be eligible for a fresh round of $1,200 stimulus checks. According to CNET, the bill may change its qualifications and potentially include dependents claimed on tax returns as being eligible to receive stimulus checks from the government, regardless of age.

According to Forbes, a district court for the Northern District of California on Oct. 14 ruled that federal prisoners may also be eligible for the $1,200 economic stimulus payments. Inmates or families of incarcerated people may visit www.caresactprisoncase.org, set up by Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Berstein, LLP, and the Equal Justice Society, to find more information on how to receive a stimulus check.