WASHINGTON Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday blocked Democrats’ push to immediately bring President Donald Trump’s demand for bigger $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks up for a vote, saying the chamber would “begin a process” to address the issue.
Pressure is mounting on the Republican-led Senate to follow the House, which voted overwhelmingly on Monday to meet the president’s demand to increase the checks from $600 as the virus crisis worsens. A growing number of Republicans, including two senators in runoff elections on Jan. 5 in Georgia, have said they will support the larger amount. But most GOP senators oppose more spending, even if they are also wary of bucking Trump.
The outcome is highly uncertain heading into the rare holiday-week session.
“We should not adjourn until the Senate holds a vote,” Senate Democratic leader
Chuck Schumer said as he made a motion to push it toward a vote.
McConnell, who has said little publicly on Trump’s request, objected but gave almost no indication of his plans ahead.
“The Senate will begin a process,” the GOP leader said. He said he plans to bring the president’s demand for the $2,000 checks and other remaining issues “into focus.”
The showdown has thrown Congress into a chaotic year-end session just days before new lawmakers are set to be sworn into office for the new year. It’s preventing action on another priority overturning Trump’s veto on a sweeping defense bill that has been approved every year for 60 years.
Senate GOP to begin a process addressing Democratic push for Trump s $2K checks | Washington santamariatimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from santamariatimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Senate GOP blocks initial Democratic push for President Trump s $2K stimulus checks Share Updated: 7:09 AM EST Dec 30, 2020 By LISA MASCARO and JILL COLVIN, Associated Press
Senate GOP blocks initial Democratic push for President Trump s $2K stimulus checks Share Updated: 7:09 AM EST Dec 30, 2020
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Show Transcript with the senator modify his request to include a unanimous consent request that the U to include unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of HR 9051 A bill received from the House to increase recovery rebate amounts to $2000 per of individual that the bill be read a third time and passed the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate. Is there objection to the modification object Objection is heard.
Mitch McConnell faces decision over vote on increasing stimulus payments to $2,000 cnn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from cnn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.