Donald Trump threw a monkey wrench into the coronavirus relief bill Wednesday night saying the “ridiculously low” $600 stimulus payments should be increased to $2000. Now Democrats are calling his bluff. The Washington Post writes:
While some congressional Democrats expressed their frustrations over the president’s timing one day after a nearly $900 billion bill was passed by Congress, others seized on Trump’s demand and put pressure on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and his fellow Republicans to make the deal happen.
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! https://t.co/Th4sztrpLV
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 23, 2020
I’m in. Whaddya say, Mitch? Let’s not get bogged down with ideological offsets and unrelated items and just DO THIS! The American people deserve it. @senatemajldr https://t.co/L1b5rUkc7h
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) December 23, 2020
While Trump may just be full of hot air, this does put one person in a rather bad spot as the Business Insider writes this is “piling pressure on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and leaving him in a no-win situation.”
7 months after Democrats took bold action to provide COVID relief #ForThePeople, the GOP finally agreed to a down payment on plans to #CrushTheVirus & put money in people’s pockets.
More help is needed. Will McCarthy, McConnell & Republicans reject $2000 for Americans in crisis? pic.twitter.com/eD20VRTzDz
— Nancy Pelosi (@TeamPelosi) December 23, 2020
I’m 100% on board with $2000 survival checks for struggling families. House and Senate Dems are united on this. What do you say, @SenateMajLdr McConnell? Does your caucus have the heart to give the American people the relief they’ve needed for months?
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) December 23, 2020
And there are questions over how this all will unfold and potentially impact the Georgia Senate runoff.
GOP: "Not a penny above $600 per person!
Loeffler & Perdue: "Yeah!"
POTUS: "Not a penny below $2000!"
Loeffler & Perdue:
McConnell: 😡
Loeffler & Perdue: 🤡 #FlipGeorgiaBlue
— Karen DaltonBeninato (@kbeninato) December 23, 2020
GA voters, remember! The Dems and Trump AGREE on the amount of the stimulus checks: $2000. If it doesn’t happen, it’s because the SENATE (Mitch McConnell) blocked it. If you want that check, you gotta vote the power away from Mitch. Elect @ossoff and @ReverendWarnock
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) December 23, 2020
Watch more above from CBS News.