McConnell blocks Senate Democrats move to pass $2,000 coronavirus checks Dareh Gregorian and Leigh Ann Caldwell and Nicole Via y Rada © Provided by NBC News
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday shot down a Democratic bid to answer President Donald Trump s call for increased direct coronavirus payments to Americans, but the measure s ultimate fate in the GOP-controlled chamber is unclear.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., moved to pass the bill by unanimous consent, which meant it would advance if no other senator objected. But McConnell quickly objected to the measure, which would have increased the size of the checks to $2,000 from $600.
U S House to vote on raising COVID-19 stimulus checks to $2,000
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House to vote on increasing coronavirus stimulus checks to $2,000
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Bernie Sanders Urges Trump to Sign COVID Relief Bill First, Work on $2,000 Stimulus Next
On 12/27/20 at 12:55 PM EST
Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, urged President Donald Trump to pass the current COVID-19 stimulus package and then work toward passing additional $2,000 direct stimulus checks with Congress.
Congress passed a bipartisan $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill last week combined with $1.4 trillion omnibus funding legislation to keep the government running next year. The White House had reportedly told Republican lawmakers to support the package. However, Trump released a video message on Tuesday evening describing the legislation as a disgrace. The president took issue with funding directed to foreign countries and other federal priorities included in the omnibus portion of the bill, while also demanding that lawmakers increase the approved $600 stimulus checks to $2,000 for most Americans.