State, Local Governments to Send Direct Payments to Residents as Stimulus Checks Get Left Out of Congressional Relief Plan

Despite Democrat and Republican support for another round of stimulus checks, partisan divisions have held up another federal relief package for months. Democrats are largely pushing for a more comprehensive package, while Republicans are looking at more limited and targeted relief. On Tuesday, a group of lawmakers unveiled a bipartisan plan that would provide federal unemployment insurance, assistance for small businesses, and help for the transportation industry, which has been hit particularly hard. Aid would also go to state and local governments.

That plan didn’t include another round of stimulus checks, but lawmakers said it provides necessary relief, especially with regard to unemployment assistance, which is set to expire at the end of the year.