Progressive lawmakers and lobbyists in Washington, D.C., continue to press the need for additional economic stimulus for individuals and families, but their proposals are facing a tough fight in both Congress and the White House.

A group of 21 Senate Democrats sent a letter to President Biden on Tuesday (March 30) urging him to include recurring direct payments and ongoing federal unemployment benefits in the administration's infrastructure package.

"Automatic stabilization measures will give families certainty that more relief is coming and allow them to make the best decisions about how to spend the relief money when they receive it," the lawmakers wrote.

"As this country continues to fight a global pandemic, families should not have to worry about whether they will have enough money to purchase necessities in the months ahead."

The proposal does not address the specific amount of future stimulus funds or the requirements for individuals to receive them.

The letter is signed by several members of the Senate Democratic leadership: House Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), Deputy Interior Committee members Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Jeffrey Barkley (D-Oregon), and a third Democratic Assistant House Majority Leader Patty Murray (Democrat, D-Wash.), the third most senior Democrat. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) did not sign.

A small group of 11 Senate Democrats (all of whom also signed this latest letter) sent a similar proposal to the White House in early March, and more than 50 House progressives signed a letter in January calling for direct payments.

Notably absent during the Biden stimulus bill's passage through Congress were Senators Joe Manchin (R-WV), Kyrsten Sinema (R-AZ), and Mark Warner (R-VA), all of whom have expressed difficulty with its size and scope.

All three would vote for the final bill, the American Recovery and Planning Act, after eligibility for the third stimulus check became tighter.

Left-leaning policy groups such as the Urban Institute and the Tax Policy Center have suggested that additional stimulus could lift millions out of poverty. In addition, an Internet poll conducted by Data for Progress in December suggested that 65% of Americans support a $2,000 monthly direct payment during the pandemic.

However, CNBC reports that some analysts are skeptical that the Biden administration will push for continued relief payments among other priorities. Neither Biden nor anyone in his administration has publicly commented on the fourth stimulus package.

Republicans have already opposed the third stimulus package, and there is little reason to believe that they will be able to convince members of Congress to support a fourth stimulus package.

Passage of a bill authorizing a fourth stimulus package would have to go through a special budget process called reconsiliation, just as the third bill did.

Therefore, it is quite likely that the fourth stimulus package will be implemented. However, a significant number of senators are pushing hard for more relief for individuals and families, and this proposal is not likely to disappear anytime soon.