House Democrats responded to President Trump's call to increase stimulus payments to $2,000 per adult by saying they're ready to bring the measure to the floor by "unanimous consent" this week.
Driving the news: Trump indicated in a video Tuesday evening that he won't sign the $900 billion coronavirus relief bill and $1.4 trillion government funding measure passed by Congress if it's not amended to increase stimulus payments.
Trump's Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who was involved in negotiating the bill, said Monday that the $600 checks passed by Congress would go out next week.
But Trump said he's asking Congress to send him an amended bill, calling on lawmakers to "increase the ridiculously low" amount Americans would receive for COVID relief to $2,000 per adult or $4,000 for a couple, and "get rid of wasteful and unnecessary items" in the spending bill.
What they're saying: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), tweeted, "Republicans repeatedly refused to say what amount the President wanted for direct checks. At last, the President has agreed to $2,000 — Democrats are ready to bring this to the Floor this week by unanimous consent. Let’s do it!."
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said in a Twitter post, "House Democrats have fought for months to provide relief to the American people, which Republicans rejected at every turn. Now that the President has agreed to direct payments of $2000, we will ask for unanimous consent to pass a bill this week to give Americans this assistance."
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) urged Trump to sign the current bill "to help people and keep the government open."
"We're glad to pass more aid Americans need," Schumer tweeted. "Maybe Trump can finally make himself useful and get Republicans not to block it again."
The big picture: Trump's surprise announcement on Tuesday could delay desperately needed aid for millions of Americans if the president decides not to sign the package as it stands. It also risks a government shutdown on Dec. 28.
Go deeper: Trump asks Congress to increase stimulus payments
AbsentGlare on December 23rd, 2020 at 04:33 UTC »
To be honest, i think trump is trying to punish the republican party. Undermining voter turnout in Georgia and now this fuckup.
It is now only one group that is holding back more support: senate republicans. Look over at r/conservative, they’re pissed at $600 too. Everyone is pissed. At senate republicans. Georgia runoffs going to democrats going on right now could mean more money in your pockets, republicans and conservatives. Senate republicans are betting against your intelligence.
damunzie on December 23rd, 2020 at 02:43 UTC »
Well there you have it. Senate Republicans are the only ones standing in the way of this. If only we had a couple more Democratic senators... maybe we could pass something like this next term.
MPFX3000 on December 23rd, 2020 at 02:40 UTC »
It ruins McConnell’s day, so that’s a plus