15 Key Items That Could Be in the Next Stimulus Bill

Demand for another coronavirus stimulus bill is high, with some of the country's top CEOs and economists from several major banks warning more relief is necessary to protect the country's fragile economic recovery.

The good news is, Democrats and Republicans are still working to negotiate a fifth coronavirus relief package, and there have been some encouraging signs in recent days suggesting they are moving toward compromise.

If a consensus can be found and another stimulus bill passed, here are 15 things it's likely to include.

5 Winning Stocks Under $49
We hear it over and over from investors, “I wish I had bought Amazon or Netflix when they were first recommended by the Motley Fool. I’d be sitting on a gold mine!” And it’s true. And while Amazon and Netflix have had a good run, we think these 5 other stocks are screaming buys. And you can buy them now for less than $49 a share! Simply click here to learn how to get your copy of “5 Growth Stocks Under $49” for FREE for a limited time only.

The most recent relief bill, the CARES Act, provided direct payments to Americans. These were valued at up to $1,200 per adult and $500 per dependent child under the age of 17.

The next stimulus bill is likely to repeat these payments while also expanding who qualifies as a dependent. Both the Democrats and Republicans have put forth proposals that would make the extra $500 available for adult dependents, too, so the money won't just go to families with young children.

The CARES Act provided an extra $600 in weekly unemployment benefits through the end of July, but this extra money has long since ended.

While President Trump signed an executive order providing an extra $300 per week to the jobless in most states, this order was a stopgap measure that offers relief only for a limited period.

With unemployment levels still near record highs, it's clear that more help is needed. Democrats want to renew the $600 benefits boost, while the latest proposal from the White House would give an extra $400 per week to those who cannot find work.

ALSO READ: What Can I Do When Expanded Unemployment Benefits Run Out?

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was created by the CARES Act and provided forgivable loans for businesses that kept most workers on the payroll.

A second round of PPP funds will likely make their way into the next stimulus bill as well. However, the program will almost assuredly have more restrictions on who can qualify for loans but fewer limitations on how the money can be spent, as these were major points of criticism in the first round.

For many homeowners, rent and mortgage relief has taken the forms of eviction and foreclosure moratoriums. Borrowers with federally backed mortgages also have the option to put payments into forbearance without being charged extra interest, penalties, or late fees.

Many argue this relief hasn't been comprehensive enough, so more assistance will probably find its way into the next coronavirus stimulus bill -- or, at the very least, the temporary ban on evictions and foreclosures will probably be extended.

5 Winning Stocks Under $49
We hear it over and over from investors, “I wish I had bought Amazon or Netflix when they were first recommended by the Motley Fool. I’d be sitting on a gold mine!” And it’s true. And while Amazon and Netflix have had a good run, we think these 5 other stocks are screaming buys. And you can buy them now for less than $49 a share! Simply click here to learn how to get your copy of “5 Growth Stocks Under $49” for FREE for a limited time only.

The CARES Act suspended payments and interest on federal student loans through September, and the Trump administration recently signed an executive order extending this through the end of the year.

Democrats and Republicans in Congress, however, have voiced support for even broader relief, including protections for borrowers with private student loans, as well as those whose loans are held by their colleges.

Another coronavirus stimulus bill will very likely include some type of aid for the approximately 9 million borrowers with debts not owned by the Department of Education.

ALSO READ: Coronavirus Student Loan Relief: 7 Things You Need to Know

State and local governments have faced a substantial loss in revenue as businesses shut their doors due to coronavirus. At the same time, the costs of combating COVID-19 and caring for affected patients have been enormous. This has blown a big hole in state budgets.

The CARES Act provided some money to the states for costs related to the pandemic, but Democrats have been pushing for millions more, and the latest proposal from the White House provides as much as $250 billion for this priority. That means states are likely to get considerable financial help in any coronavirus legislation that passes.

The U.S. Postal Service is facing a funding crisis, even as it gears up to handle millions of mail-in ballots during an election in which more people than ever before will probably vote by mail.

Shoring up USPS' funding has been a key priority for Democrats, and it's another one Republicans appear likely to support with the latest proposal from the White House including $10 billion in direct aid.

Coronavirus testing is key to combating the virus, so providing funds for it has been a bipartisan priority. Any subsequent relief bill will almost assuredly make more money available to expand testing programs across the country.

Testing is just part of a two-step effort that is critical to slowing the spread of COVID-19 while also keeping the economy open. Contact tracing is also essential.

Contact tracing involves identifying people who have potentially been in contact with someone who tests positive for coronavirus and notifying them of their possible exposure so they can quarantine for 14 days and reduce the risk of infecting others.

The U.S. has lagged behind other countries in its contract tracing efforts. Another COVID-19 stimulus bill will likely provide more money to improve this important virus-prevention program.

5 Winning Stocks Under $49
We hear it over and over from investors, “I wish I had bought Amazon or Netflix when they were first recommended by the Motley Fool. I’d be sitting on a gold mine!” And it’s true. And while Amazon and Netflix have had a good run, we think these 5 other stocks are screaming buys. And you can buy them now for less than $49 a share! Simply click here to learn how to get your copy of “5 Growth Stocks Under $49” for FREE for a limited time only.

With more people out of work amid the coronavirus recession, demand for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has risen. Shoring up SNAP funding is a key priority, along with other nutrition assistance programs such as WIC. More money for these essential programs is almost assuredly going to be in the next stimulus bill.

ALSO READ: SNAP Benefits Will Increase in October, but Are They Enough?

Child care facilities across the country have reopened, as these services are essential to enabling parents to get back to work. To help keep children and care providers safe, however, daycares are absorbing substantial extra costs.

Past coronavirus relief bills included boosted funding for Head Start and other federally operated daycare programs, and daycares were also entitled to apply for a PPP loan or Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the Small Business Administration.

Special provisions and expanded funding for federally operated daycares will almost surely be part of subsequent relief bills as well.

As schools across the country switch to virtual learning, it's more important than ever for underserved communities to gain access to high-speed internet. That's why billions of dollars for expanded broadband have been included in both Democratic and Republican proposals for the next stimulus bill.

Businesses across the country face an outsize risk of being sued if customers become ill with coronavirus after visiting their establishment.

To help encourage companies to open their doors during the pandemic, it's long been a priority on the right to provide protection from lawsuits so businesses can be held responsible only if they violate public health orders or are otherwise grossly negligent.

Airlines have been hit especially hard by the coronavirus as the government has warned against unnecessary travel. While some low-interest loans and other forms of relief were included in the CARES Act, airlines have warned that more needs to be done to prevent more layoffs.

The government seems receptive to their requests, and various proposals have been put forth to provide an influx of cash to airline carriers.

ALSO READ: Should You Buy or Sell Airline Stocks Right Now?

The CARES Act provided some paid sick leave to those who develop COVID-19, as well as those individuals who must take time off work to care for a family member with the virus. It also helped those who had to quarantine after potential exposure or care for children whose daycare facilities were closed due to the virus. Additional paid leave is likely to be included in subsequent legislation.

5 Winning Stocks Under $49
We hear it over and over from investors, “I wish I had bought Amazon or Netflix when they were first recommended by the Motley Fool. I’d be sitting on a gold mine!” And it’s true. And while Amazon and Netflix have had a good run, we think these 5 other stocks are screaming buys. And you can buy them now for less than $49 a share! Simply click here to learn how to get your copy of “5 Growth Stocks Under $49” for FREE for a limited time only.

Lawmakers have been trying since March to agree on another coronavirus relief bill. While there are encouraging signs that they're getting closer to compromise, the passage of COVID-19 stimulus legislation is far from certain.

If you're in need of expanded unemployment, a second direct payment, or other aid that such a bill could provide, contact your representatives to make your voice heard and keep your eyes on Washington for news of a deal.

The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.