What's the fate of stimulus checks? We'll soon know.

As the last few US battleground states are still counting their Nov. 3 election ballots, margins are tightening. Whenever the final results arrive, they'll have an impact on American policy for the next four years as well as shape the negotiations to pass another stimulus bill and the programs it would fund and support, including a second stimulus check. Though the results and their ripples are still far from certain, we have some indicators as to what will happen next.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell reversed course on Wednesday and threw his support behind getting a stimulus deal done this year instead of waiting until 2021.

"We need another rescue package ... I think we need to do it and I think we need to do it before the end of the year," McConnell said, calling passage of a relief bill "job one." While pundits think McConnell will seek to push through a targeted deal, he has previously supported a new stimulus check of up to $1,200 for those who qualify, with additional money given to families with child dependents. It unclear if stimulus aid for the American people would be in McConnell's proposal.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said in a statement Friday, "House Democrats will continue working toward an agreement" that "puts money in the pockets of the American people." 

Whether that coronavirus rescue package includes a new direct payment and funding for more weekly unemployment benefits could also depend on the final makeup of the House of Representatives and Senate. (Here's every benefit set to expire Dec. 31 if there's no more federal assistance on the way.)

We've outlined six ways that results of the election could affect the passage of a new stimulus check -- keep reading for more details and check back on this story for updates.

Read more: Not everyone would qualify for a new stimulus check. What we know

When a new bill could finally come together

The final outcomes of the election will determine how quickly negotiations toward a stimulus agreement resume. Political divisions are expected to remain deep, with neither party controlling Congress and the presidency. That could prolong the passage of a bill if agreements are slow to develop, as they have been. 

It may also be that a much narrower bill to bring targeted aid to programs considered critical could make it through before the inauguration, with a different stimulus package potentially coming in early 2021. Right now we have to continue to wait and see.

Read more: Nobody can take your stimulus check away, right? Not so fast

If it includes a second stimulus check

McConnell may aim to pass a small bill and block a larger one. If the Senate retains its Republican majority as projected, his party would likely be able to block any larger bills they oppose, including a stimulus check. However, the Senate's Republican-authored HEALS Act proposal from July did contain a second stimulus check, and the House of Representatives, White House and presidential candidate Joe Biden all support a second check.

When a bill with a stimulus bill could get a vote

Senators, 우리카지노쿠폰 representatives and President Donald Trump have all said they want to pass another stimulus bill after the election. But exactly when after the election is the question. There are two time periods of note. The first is the lame duck session from Nov. 4 to Jan. 3, when the new Congress starts. The other is after the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20.

McConnell hinted Oct. 30 that he wouldn't bring the Senate to vote on more relief after Jan. 20, but changed his tune the morning after the election.

"As I've said repeatedly in the last few months, we need another rescue package," McConnell said, according to CNBC. "Hopefully, the partisan passions that prevented us from doing another rescue package will subside with the election. And I think we need to do it and I think we need to do it before the end of the year."

As Senate leader, McConnell decides when to bring legislation to a vote. His new statement may signal one less hurdle to pass a bill, but another stimulus check still isn't guaranteed to be part of it.

Read more: Would you use your second check like these people?

The timeline for sending out checks

Once again, there are two issues to consider when we think of how soon the IRS could send out a second stimulus check. The first is that the makeup of the incoming Congress and presidency could either buoy current leaders or potentially cause them to dig in their heels until the official swearing-in of the new term. That might mean a check would be approved closer to December, or later, in January or February, depending on how negotiations continue post-election.

Then there's the question of how long it will take for the IRS to mobilize the first wave of stimulus checks, as well as payments for 카지노사이트주소 other groups, once a bill allocating more direct payments is approved. Learn more about the five priority groups we identified that helped determine when you got your first payment.