19th & 22nd

  Maryland official pushes for state-funded $2K stimulus checks https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/532310-maryland-official-pushes-for-state-funded-2k-stimulus-checks SOURCE:  Justine Coleman, The Hill 'Just give us a vote.' $2,000 second stimulus check's fate is up to the Senate https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/just-give-us-a-vote-2000-second-stimulus-checks-fate-is-up-to-the-senate/ SOURCE:  Jessica Dolcourt, C/net

Well, the vaccine has finally arrived. Wonder how many people will take it?  I'm still in the 'wait-and-see' mode.  Biden and Trump both need to put pressure on Congress to pass a stimulus bill.  Unemployment benefits and the eviction moratorium are scheduled to end in December. If a stimulus package is not passed before then, January 2021 is going to be an economic mess.  First ‘mass air shipment’ of Pfizer’s Covid vaccine arrives as airlines prepare for more https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/30/first-mass-air-shipment-of-pfizers-covid-vaccine-arrives-as-airlines-prepare-for-more.html SOURCE:  Leslie Josephs & Berkeley Lovelace Jr., CNBC  Congress returns facing government shutdown deadline, calls for stimulus amid coronavirus surge https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/30/congress-looks-to-pass-coronavirus-stimulus-government-funding.html SOURCE:  Jacob Pramuk, CNBC 

 More finance and political news... Dow soars by 600 points as investors bet on clear election winner and swift passing of stimulus bill https://www.yahoo.com/news/wall-street-rises-investors-bet-143722448.html SOURCE:  Lucy Bayly, NBC News  (via Yahoo News) 'It's too important now': Record turnout, Black voters fuel Democratic hopes in Georgia https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/it-s-too-important-now-record-turnout-black-voters-fuel-n1245416 SOURCE:  Adam Edelman, NBC News

  Pelosi Says ‘Just About There’ on Stimulus; Senate Hurdle Awaits https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/pelosi-says-just-about-there-on-stimulus-senate-hurdle-awaits/ar-BB1ahMA2 SOURCE:  Erik Wasson and Billy House, Bloomberg  (via MSN News) Pelosi, Mnuchin to Resume Stimulus Talks Thursday https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2020-10-21/pelosi-mnuchin-to-resume-stimulus-talks-thursday-video SOURCE:  Bloomberg TV Editorial: Congress must stop squabbling and pass a COVID-19 relief bill https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/Editorial-Congress-must-stop-squabbling-and-pass-15649554.php SOURCE:  Editorial Board, Houston Chronicle

 More stimulus talks updates... US stocks rise as stimulus hopes remain, social media shines https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/asian-shares-rise-wall-street-gains-solid-earnings-73730002 SOURCE:  Stan Choe, AP Business Writer Donald Trump and Nancy Pelosi Share Nearly Equal Blame for Stimulus Failure, Swing-State Poll Shows https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/donald-trump-and-nancy-pelosi-share-nearly-equal-blame-for-stimulus-failure-swing-state-poll-shows/ar-BB1afCbO?ocid=uxbndlbing SOURCE:  Jenni Fink, Newsweek  (via MSN News)

 More stimulus updates...   Some Democrats are urging Nancy Pelosi to accept the White House's $1.8 trillion stimulus offer. But Senate Republicans pose a big obstacle to a coronavirus relief deal. https://news.yahoo.com/democrats-urging-nancy-pelosi-accept-193747392.html SOURCE:  Joseph Zeballos-Roig, Business Insider (via Yahoo News) 'Stop playing games with our lives': Americans on financial brink plead with politicians to pass bill for 2nd stimulus checks https://news.yahoo.com/stop-playing-games-with-our-lives-americans-on-financial-brink-plead-with-politicians-to-pass-bill-for-second-stimulus-checks-151130740.html SOURCE: Marquise Frances, Yahoo News

 We are on the stimulus 'see-saw' again.  Yesterday, Mnuchin said that it was a 'very good' chance that a stimulus plan would be passed before the election. Now he is saying a new stimulus plan most likely won't happen before November. Mnuchin: Deal on Coronavirus Stimulus Will Be ‘Difficult’ to Reach Before Election https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2020-10-14/mnuchin-deal-on-coronavirus-stimulus-will-be-difficult-to-reach-before-election SOURCE:  Claire Hansen, US News World & Report Stocks Fall as Stimulus Hopes Fade, Banks Slump: Markets Wrap https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/stocks-drop-on-mnuchin-s-remarks-as-banks-tumble-markets-wrap/ar-BB19ZBuo?ocid=uxbndlbing SOURCE:  Rita Nazarath and Vildana Hajric, Bloomberg (via MSN Money) The stock market's near-term fate could be decided by the tight Senate race as stimulus remains in limbo, Morgan Stanley says https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/stock-market-outlook-senate-e...

 I don't blame Meghan Markle taking a break from social media. She has endured so much hate from people who don't even know her.  As usual, Pelosi was in rare form during her CNN interview. The interviewer had a difference of opinion in how Pelosi is handling the stimulus deal. Basically, she told him that he didn't know what the h_ll he was talking about.  Meghan Markle Reveals the Real Reason She Won't Ever Return to Social Media https://www.eonline.com/news/1197940/meghan-markle-reveals-the-real-reason-she-won-t-ever-return-to-social-media?medium=link-post&source=twitter-enews&cmpid=social&content=organic SOURCE:  Cydney Contreras, E! Pelosi spars with CNN's Blitzer over COVID-19 aid: 'You really don't know what you're talking about' https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/pelosi-spars-with-cnn-s-blitzer-over-covid-19-aid-you-really-don-t-know-what-you-re-talking-about/ar-BB19ZziS?ocid=uxbndlbing SOURCE:  Cristina Marcos, The Hill  (vi...

 Latest Stimulus Bill updates... McConnell says Senate will vote on a $500 billion stimulus plan before Election Day as Trump tells GOP to ‘go big or go home’ https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/10/13/covid-19-stimulus-mcconnell-says-senate-vote-ppp-bill-next-week/3640576001/ SOURCE:  Nicholas Wu, USA Today JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon calls for more federal stimulus spending https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jpmorgan-ceo-jamie-dimon-stimulus-third-quarter-earnings/ SOURCE:  Stephen Gendel, CBS News  Stocks Drop on Stimulus Deadlock as Banks Tumble: Markets Wrap https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/stocks-drop-with-stimulus-on-hold-as-banks-tumble-markets-wrap/ar-BB19X4wy?ocid=uxbndlbing SOURCE:  Rita Nazareth  and Claire Ballentine, Bloomberg (via MSN Money) 

Just a day ago the White House assured Americans of a stimulus deal. Today, Mitch McConnell is saying he doesn't think a stimulus will pass before the election. It looks like the GOP is hellbent on getting Amy Coney Barrett on the Supreme Court.  More below... Mitch McConnell: A COVID-19 relief deal is 'unlikely' before Election Day https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/mitch-mcconnell-a-covid-19-relief-deal-is-unlikely-before-election-day/ar-BB19RF2X?ocid=msedgdhp Morgan Watkins, Louisville Courier Journal (via MSN News) Congress has stalled a new stimulus deal with $1,200 payments for 5 months. But the GOP-led Senate plans to confirm Trump's Supreme Court pick in 2 weeks. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/congress-has-stalled-a-new-stimulus-deal-with-1-200-payments-for-5-months-but-the-gop-led-senate-plans-to-confirm-trump-s-supreme-court-pick-in-2-weeks/ar-BB19RQ0G?ocid=msedgdhp SOURCE: Oma Seddiq (Business Insider)

More updates about Congress trying to reach a stimulus deal... Pelosi anticipates reaching economic relief deal with Mnuchin, saying Trump diagnosis ‘changes the dynamic’ https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/pelosi-anticipates-reaching-economic-relief-deal-with-mnuchin-saying-trump-diagnosis-changes-the-dynamic/ar-BB19E5m5?ocid=msedgntp SOURCE:  Erica Werner, Jeff Stein, Washington Post Moderate Democrats Pressure Pelosi On Unemployment, Coronavirus Relief https://www.yahoo.com/huffpost/nancy-pelosi-democrats-coronavirus-relief-bill-001403832.html SOURCE:  Matt Fuller, Arthur Delaney, HuffPost

The President and First Lady have coronavirus. Although, I am not a Trump supporter, I wish them both a speedy recovery. No stimulus deal was reached yesterday -- which means more talks between Pelosi and Mnuchin will continue today. I truly hope a deal is reached soon. Several companies recently announced major layoffs, which include Wells Fargo, Disney and American Airlines.  More details below... Coronavirus stimulus discussions yield no deal, but Pelosi says talks will continue https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/01/coronavirus-stimulus-update-pelosi-mnuchin-talk-about-relief-bill.html SOURCE: Jacob Pramuck, CNBC Trump says he and first lady have tested positive for coronavirus https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-says-he-and-first-lady-have-tested-positive-for-coronavirus/ar-BB19CG4u?ocid=msedgntp SOURCE:  John Dawsey, Colby Itkowiz, Washington Post (via MSN News)

The meeting between Pelosi and Mnuchin didn't result in a stimulus bill agreement. So, Pelosi and the house just passed their own stimulus plan. This sounds good -- but it's not a done deal until it is approved by Trump and the republicans.  Speaking of republicans, I just found out that there are several republicans who voted no on a peaceful transition in the event Trump loses. This should be interesting.  More details below... House Democrats pass their $2.2 trillion stimulus plan which includes $600 federal unemployment benefits and direct payments https://www.businessinsider.com/house-democrats-stimulus-plan-congress-unemployment-economy-pass-vote-bill-2020-9?utm_source=notification&utm_medium=referral SOURCE:  Joseph Zeballas-Roig, Business Insider These 5 Republicans Voted No on House Resolution for Peaceful Transition if Trump Loses Election https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/these-5-republicans-voted-no-on-house-resolution-for-peaceful-transition-if-trum...

 Check out the articles below for updates on the WH stimulus package & The Proud Boys... The Proud Boys, Who Trade in Political Violence, Get a Boost From Trump https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/01/us/elections/a-far-right-group-that-trades-in-political-violence-has-gotten-a-boost-from-trump.html?searchResultPosition=2 SOURCE:  Neil MacFarquhar, Alan Feuer, Mike Baker and Sheera Frenkel, New York Times The White House is proposing a $400 weekly federal unemployment benefit as part of its $1.6 trillion stimulus package https://www.businessinsider.com/white-house-federal-unemployment-benefit-stimulus-package-amount-payments-2020-10 SOURCE:  Joseph Zeballos-Roig, Business Insider

Here's the latest updates on stimulus talks...let's keep our fingers crossed that a bill gets passed before the election... Mnuchin, Pelosi speak on coronavirus relief, plan further talks: Pelosi spokesman https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-congress-idINKBN26K2L8 SOURCE:  Reuters Staff Second stimulus check updates: House Democrats unveil scaled-back $2.2 trillion COVID-19 relief proposal in attempt to boost long-stalled talks https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-nw-second-stimulus-check-updates-20200929-oyz7w45nyfc7phw5az3qiapd3i-story.html SOURCE:  Chicago Tribune/Andrew Taylor/Associated Press Democrats' new $2.2 trillion bill includes a second round of $1,200 stimulus checks https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/democrats-new-22-trillion-bill-includes-a-second-round-of-1200-stimulus-checks/ar-BB19xcZT?ocid=uxbndlbing SOURCE:  Lorie Konish, CNBC (via MSN News) Stimulus check, $600-per-week jobless benefit included in new virus aid prop...

Despite the thousands of people still unemployed and on the brink of eviction, Congress still has not made any progress towards passing a second stimulus bill. It looks like both Republicans and Democrats have forgotten their oath to serve the people they represent. While I understand their focus about the upcoming election, the American people who are in need should be their major concern and priority.  Even some top CEO's are asking Congress to pass a stimulus bill before the election. Congress won't listen to the American people, maybe they'll listen to a CEO. We will see... Below are articles that highlight the chances of a stimulus bill getting passed before the election... Survey: Hill aides don’t expect Congress to pass another virus relief bill before election https://www.rollcall.com/2020/09/24/survey-hill-aides-dont-expect-congress-to-pass-another-virus-relief-bill-before-election/ SOURCE:  Shawn Zeller, Roll Call Congress poised to leave town until after the elec...

Small businesses are calling on Congress to pass a 'stand-alone' bill that will help them maintain their business and keep employees on the payroll. Hopefully, Steve Mnuchin can persuade Larry Kudlow that the country does need another stimulus package. As of yesterday, Kudlow seem convinced that another stimulus package is not needed for an economic recovery in the US. What world does he live in? Small business leaders urge Congress to pass standalone COVID-19 relief package https://finance.yahoo.com/news/small-business-leaders-urge-congress-222659083.html SOURCE:  Lucas Manfredi, Fox Business Mnuchin, Powell say Congress needs to pass more COVID-19 relief https://www.rollcall.com/2020/09/22/mnuchin-powell-say-congress-needs-to-pass-more-covid-19-relief/ SOURCE:  By Jim Saksa, Roll Call Kudlow—Contradicting Other Top Officials—Says Stimulus Not Needed For Economic Recovery https://www.forbes.com/sites/sergeiklebnikov/2020/09/22/kudlow-contradicting-other-top-officials-say...

This week it looks like stimulus talks are going to resume -- but the question is, will a bill be approved before the election?   A new stimulus package needs to be passed before November, because in many states expanded unemployment benefits are about to run out.  Trump moves closer to Pelosi in economic aid talks, and House speaker must decide next move https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-moves-closer-to-pelosi-in-economic-aid-talks-and-house-speaker-must-decide-next-move/ar-BB199HSY?ocid=msedgntp SOURCE:  Rachael Bade, Erica Werner - Washington Post Poverty groups brace for influx of need as extra unemployment benefits expire https://www.yahoo.com/money/poverty-groups-brace-for-influx-as-extra-unemployment-benefits-expire-203544453.html SOURCE:  Ben Werschkul, Yahoo Money Trump threw stimulus checks back into play and called for a large economic aid package — but Republicans still aren't backing more spending https://www.msn.com/en-us/news...

Based on the articles below, it looks like a Stimulus/Relief Bill will get passed. I truly hope so because so many people need financial support.  White House sees encouraging signs on coronavirus relief bill, Meadows says https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/white-house-sees-encouraging-signs-on-coronavirus-relief-bill-meadows-says/ar-BB196L3J?ocid=msedgntp SOURCE:  MSN & Reuters Will a New Bipartisan Stimulus Proposal Finally Bring Americans Relief? https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/09/15/will-a-new-bipartisan-stimulus-proposal-finally-br/ SOURCE:  Motley Fool Coronavirus stimulus: Bipartisan caucus unveils $1.5 trillion proposal, including checks and extra unemployment benefits, in attempt to break gridlock https://www.yahoo.com/money/coronavirus-stimulus-bipartisan-caucus-unveils-15-trillion-proposal-143810175.html SOURCE:  Yahoo Money  - Denitsa Tsekova, Reporter