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June 22, 2025 – Washington Bureau
Amid economic uncertainty and rising political tension, the U.S. Senate has postponed a critical vote on the next coronavirus relief package until September 8, dealing a blow to millions of Americans facing financial hardship. The delay comes just three weeks after enhanced unemployment benefits expired, leaving a significant gap in federal support.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced the new date, noting that House members are currently on summer recess. If an agreement is reached before that date, lawmakers will be given 24 hours’ notice to return to Washington for an emergency vote.
Negotiations at a Standstill
Despite urgent need, negotiations between the White House and Democratic leaders remain deadlocked. Both parties continue to hold internal conventions and policy meetings, but no active negotiations are underway. As a result, millions of Americans are left in economic limbo.
The CARES Act and Its Aftermath
In March, Congress passed the CARES Act, which provided $600 per week in federal unemployment assistance in addition to state benefits. These measures were widely seen as vital in preventing mass evictions, homelessness, and financial ruin during the early months of the pandemic.
However, with the delay in passing new legislation, pressure is mounting to extend federal support. A new political flashpoint has also emerged over funding for the U.S. Postal Service. Democrats are pushing for $25 billion in emergency USPS funding and an additional $3.5 billion to support mail-in voting infrastructure ahead of the presidential election.
Trump Opposes Mail-In Voting Funding
President Donald Trump has repeatedly voiced opposition to mail-in voting, claiming without evidence that it would lead to widespread voter fraud. In an interview with AFP, Trump said: “They need all this money for the Post Office so it can steal millions of ballots... If we don’t make a deal, they get nothing. That means they can’t have universal mail-in voting.”
Critics argue that the President’s refusal to fund the USPS is a direct threat to democratic processes. Nonetheless, the administration has remained firm on its stance.
Executive Actions and Legal Questions
In the absence of congressional consensus, Trump signed an executive order attempting to reinstate federal unemployment benefits at $400 per week. However, only $300 would be federally funded, with states expected to contribute the remaining $100—a provision many states cannot afford.
Legal experts have questioned the constitutionality of the order, as Congress—not the President—holds the power to allocate federal funds. The White House later admitted that the actual payments would likely be capped at $300.
Trump also announced an extension of the federal eviction moratorium on properties backed by government loans. Yet, when the details were revealed, no such extension was legally enacted.
Next Critical Deadline: September End
The real deadline for lawmakers now lies at the end of September, when the current budget expires. Without a new spending bill, the government risks a shutdown, and several provisions of the CARES Act—such as student loan protections—will expire.
While House Democrats passed a $3 trillion proposal, Senate Republicans countered with a $1 trillion plan. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has offered to compromise on a $2 trillion bill. However, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin accused Democrats of being unwilling to negotiate unless their $2 trillion baseline is accepted.
“We are miles apart in our values,” Pelosi said this week. “Perhaps I misjudged them as people who gave a damn.”
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Keywords: U.S. Senate delays stimulus, Trump stimulus executive order, mail-in voting controversy, Pelosi negotiations, CARES Act extension, federal unemployment aid, USPS funding debate, Congress deadlock, September government shutdown
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