Stimulus check 2: AOC urges McConnell to 'get to work'

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
(Image credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

As senators prepare to return to work next week, House Democrats are putting pressure on lawmakers to pass stimulus check 2 quickly. 

In a tweet posted on Tuesday, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to “get to work,” on a new stimulus package that includes a second round of direct stimulus check payments.

“The House voted to send a 2nd stimulus check 2 [months] ago & Senate Republicans haven't even discussed it,” the tweet reads. “For a party that pretends to care [about] hard work, they are the laziest leaders in COVID. Even House GOP work harder, & they don't even read bills."

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The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Heroes Act, its version of a second stimulus package, in May, but that proposal stalled without Senate approval. The bill would provide additional direct payments of $1,200 to eligible Americans, including expanded benefits for dependent children and workers with taxpayer identification numbers. 

The Senate is on recess until July 17, but McConnell has recently suggested that lawmakers could begin debate on a bill as early as next week. 

It’s not clear what the Senate proposal will include—McConnell has suggested that additional direct payments could go out soon, though they may be limited to those making less than $40,000 per year. Other GOP senators have expressed hesitation about stimulus check 2

Will there be a stimulus check 2? 

If the House-approved Heroes Act were to move forward, Americans making less than $75,000 annually (if single) and $150,000 annually (if married) would receive a $1,200 payment for themselves and each dependent child, up to $6,000 per family. Smaller payments would go to single taxpayers making up to $99,000 and married taxpayers (filing jointly) earning up to $198,000. 

The White House has also hinted at additional direct payments, with President Trump saying he favors “larger numbers” and White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow stating that "direct checks are probably going to be part" of the next stimulus package. 

To find out how much you’d receive under the Heroes Act, enter your tax information into the stimulus check 2 calculator. If you think you’re eligible for stimulus check 2 with a possible $40,000 income cap, try this capped calculator

Find your first stimulus check

If your first stimulus check hasn’t arrived, plug your information into the IRS's Get My Payment app to find your payment status. You may also be able to reach a representative at the IRS stimulus check phone number if you have additional questions about your benefits. 

Finally, use the USPS’s Informed Delivery tool to sign up for stimulus check notifications, which will tell you when your check or stimulus check debit card lands in your mailbox. 

Emily Long

Emily Long is a Utah-based freelance writer who covers consumer technology, privacy and personal finance for Tom's Guide. She has been reporting and writing for nearly 10 years, and her work has appeared in Wirecutter, Lifehacker, NBC BETTER and CN Traveler, among others. When she's not working, you can find her trail running, teaching and practicing yoga, or studying for grad school — all fueled by coffee, obviously.