Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has not spoken up about President Trump’s demand that Congress include a $2,000 stimulus check for every American in the coronavirus aid package passed earlier this week instead of the measly $600 check they approved.
Trump’s last-minute objection to the bill that Congress seemingly threw together with very little involvement from the president came after McConnell said on Monday, “The Senate just passed another major bipartisan, COVID-19 relief package. The American people can rest assured that more help is on the way, immediately.”
However, that no longer seems to be the case.
McConnell, as head of the Republican Senate majority, will be the key to whether or not a change will be made based on Trump’s demands. Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has vowed to bring the $2,000 checks to the House floor and attempt to have them unanimously passed.
Pelosi said, “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!”
She later re-upped her calls, “Mr. President, sign the bill to keep government open! Urge McConnell and McCarthy to agree with the Democratic unanimous consent request for $2,000 direct payments! This can be done by noon on Christmas Eve!”
Mr. President, sign the bill to keep government open! Urge McConnell and McCarthy to agree with the Democratic unanimous consent request for $2,000 direct payments! This can be done by noon on Christmas Eve!
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 23, 2020
At least one House Republican is expected to object to the President’s request, though House GOP leadership has not discussed a plan on what to do in light of Trump’s rejection of the bill.
President Trump also objected to many provisions included in the all-for-one package that he says are “wasteful and unnecessary.”
