MITCH DITCHES $2,000 AID VOTE
McConnell pinches pandemic pennies
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday blocked a vote on the $2,000 COVID-19 stimulus checks requested by President Trump — defying a growing group of bipartisan lawmakers who are backing the commander in chief ’s push to fatten the checks.
McConnell (R-Ky.) objected after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) asked for a unanimous vote on a five-page bill that passed the House on Monday with 44 Republican votes.
Trump requested the $2,000 checks last week, saying the $600 check approved as part of a $2.3 trillion pandemic-relief and government-funding bill was too small.
McConnell blocked unanimous passage after scheduling a Wednesday vote to override Trump’s veto of a $740 billion defense bill.
The move angered Trump who in a tweet warned: “Unless Republicans have a death wish, and it is also the right thing to do, they must approve the $2000 payments ASAP. $600 IS NOT ENOUGH! Also, get rid of Section 230 – Don’t let Big Tech steal our Country, and don’t let the Democrats steal the Presidential Election. Get tough!”
McConnell did not explain his position on increasing check amounts but before objecting said the Senate would “begin a process” this week to bring that request and Trump’s push for repeal of Section 230 immunity for social-media companies and election reforms “into focus.” He did not elaborate.
McConnell is under increasing pressure from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle who want Congress to pass the CASH Act and provide an extra $1,400 to every eligible American.
From progressive icons Rep. Alexandria OcasioCortez (D-NY) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to GOP rising star Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), the growing group have described the existing $600 payments as too paltry.
In a Monday evening tweet, Ocasio-Cortez took a swing at the lawmakers who rejected the bill, including members of her own party.
“If you’re going to err, err on the side of helping people,” AOC wrote after Oregon Democratic Rep. Kurt Schrader declared he was against the $2,000 checks.
Frustrated by McConnell’s obfuscation, Sanders has threatened to filibuster a Wednesday vote to override Trump’s veto of a $740 billion defense bill unless McConnell schedules a vote on the $2,000 checks.
Trump and Sanders became unlikely allies when the president indicated on Twitter that he approved Sanders’ filibuster that would foil McConnell’s plan.
“Give the people $2000, not $600. They have suffered enough!” Trump said, quote-tweeting a post about Sanders’ efforts.
Opponents of the measure say it would heap an estimated $463 billion onto the national debt and increase inflation.
It’s unclear when or if McConnell will allow a vote on the CASH Act, but Sanders could filibuster until New Year’s Day, keeping Georgia GOP Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler in Washington just days before crucial Jan. 5 runoff elections that will determine control of the Senate in Joe Biden’s Washington.