Stimulus check update: Will Congress say yes to a fourth payment?

Stimulus check update: Will Congress say yes to a fourth payment?

It’s been more than two months since the third round of COVID stimulus checks began hitting Americans' bank accounts. For many U.S. households still having trouble paying the bills because of the pandemic, that $1,400 payment is probably long gone.

Millions of everyday Americans — and a growing number of influential lawmakers — say the government needs to continue providing direct relief until the crisis is no longer squeezing the economy.

Though the housing market is booming and some other economic numbers are looking up, unemployment rose last month and retail sales slowed.

The White House says stimulus checks "are not free," and that it's up to Congress to decide whether to pay out more of them. Will House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her fellow lawmakers give you a fourth stimulus check? Here's what we know.