While lawmakers are currently negotiating a second round of stimulus checks, many Americans have yet to still receive their first payment.
Approved in March as part of the CARES Act, the initial round of payments offered up to $1200 for qualified individuals.
In June, the U.S. Treasury said over 159 million economic impact payments had been sent out to Americans in need due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, according to Newsweek.
But a House and Means Committee report estimated that between 30 and 35 million individuals had still not received their checks as of June, noted the outlet.
On Wednesday, Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA) called the IRS’ months-long delay “outrageous” and "wholly inadequate” and urged them to expedite the payments.
It is outrageous that the CARES Act was signed into law MONTHS ago, and many of my constituents still have not received their Economic Impact Payments. The IRS must expedite these stimulus checks right away. pic.twitter.com/zd9sc8GdXp
— Raul Ruiz (@RepRaulRuizMD) July 30, 2020
“The IRS must act immediately to expedite these stimulus checks so the American people can get through this tumultuous time."
Ruiz reiterated his pleas for a swift disbursement of payments in a letter to IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig, per the publication.
While a second stimulus check seems all but certain, the timeline and amount of another round of relief is up in the air.
Senate Republicans put forth a new COVID-19 relief plan, entitled the HEALS Act, which includes a second $1,200 stimulus check, and a reduction of unemployment benefits to $200 per week, down from the $600 currently paid out under the CARES Act.
The $1 trillion bill was introduced days before weekly unemployment payments under the CARES Act officially expire on Friday, July 31.
But according to comments Trump made earlier in the day, Congress and the White House are “so far apart” in their negotiations on the new plan.
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