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House Dems Approve $2000 Stimulus Checks
Last Monday, the House voted to increase the second round of direct relief payments from $600 to $2000 stimulus checks. The Democrats responded to President Donald Trump’s call for Congress to increase weed out pork and instead give the money to Americans who need them more.
RELATED: Trump Signs COVID Relief Bill, $600 Stimulus Checks
During Monday’s fast-track vote, 44 Republicans joined the majority of Democrats in approving the increase 275-134. This barely made it to the needed two-thirds majority. Despite Trump’s personal appeal to increase stimulus checks to $2000, 130 Republicans voted against the measure.
The CASH Act
The bill, named the CASH act (Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help), aims to add an additional $1,400 financial assistance. Qualified Americans about to receive $600 assistance will also receive an additional $1,4000 to bring the total stimulus support to $2,000. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Ca) said that “The House and the President are in agreement: we must deliver $2,000 checks to American families struggling this Holiday Season. The House just passed the #CASHAct — it’s time for the Senate to do the same.”
The total budget for the additional amount is $404 billion, according to the House Joint Committee on Taxation. One of the major issues raised by Republicans is the need to keep any support packages under $1 trillion. Approving this bill would cross this threshold, which may not sit well with budget hawks from the GOP.
Next Stop: The Senate
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said Senate Dems would try to pass the legislation on Tuesday. In a statement, he said: “Every Senate Democrat is for this much-needed increase in emergency financial relief, which can be approved tomorrow if no Republican blocks it – there is no good reason for Senate Republicans to stand in the way.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) did not mention any plans to vote during his remarks thanking Trump for signing the earlier bill. However, at least one Republican senator, Marco Rubio(R-Fl), said he will support additional payments for Americans. In a statement, Rubio said that “I share many of my colleagues’ concern about the long-term effects of additional spending, but we cannot ignore the fact that millions of working-class families across the nation are still in dire need of relief.”
Added Pressure to Republicans
To add pressure to Republicans to act, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt) joined the fray. He said he will delay the Senate’s plan to override Trump’s earlier veto on the Defense bill if the Senate won’t vote on the Cash Act. The Senate possesses the majority to override Trump’s veto, but Sanders can delay the vote by filibustering it until New Year's Day. “The American people are desperate, and the Senate has got to do its job before leaving town,” he said. “It would be unconscionable, especially after the House did the right thing, for the Senate to simply leave Washington without voting on this.”
In addition, Sanders can also keep Georgia senatorial candidates David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) from campaigning in their home state. Under Senate rules, Sanders can keep the chamber in session during the holiday week. Meanwhile, the Democratic candidates, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock will continue campaigning and say they support $2,000 checks. Georgia holds the key in determining which party will hold the Senate majority.
Crossroads
Although President Trump signed the COVID relief bill last Sunday, he criticized the small amount of $600 given to Americans. He called the legislation a “disgrace,” and continued to call for additional money for citizens. Trump’s opposition to the bill took White House officials and Congressional Republicans who helped draft the bill by surprise. It also puts Republicans in a quandary. On one hand, they toe the party line but suffer the wrath of the public hell-bent on getting more support. On the other, they side with Trump but also abandon their hardline stance to keep relief budgets under control.
Watch the CNBC coverage of the House vote to increase stimulus checks from $600 to $2000:
Loading ...Republicans, especially those in the Senate are on the clock. Should they support the President, give in to popular sentiment, and give the people what they need? Or, should they stay the course and risk losing their Senate majority? What do you think they should do? Let us know what you think. Share with us your ideas by writing in the comment section below.
26 Comments
Americans are suffering. We need help. Support the $2000 stimulus relief bill.
The lack of empathy and the ability to feel compassion for Americans who are in need is missing in the Republican party. The debt imposed on Americans by providing relief is surely a concern that pales in face of the need to help. Shame on them. This last year will be remembered in history For pain and suffering for record numbers of Americans in countless ways attributed to Donald Trump and privileged minded Republicans and their heartless supporters.
small business is Dying we need the Cash in the private system
I agree with President Trump
Only support the bill if the Democrats take the pork out and make it about stimulus. America is already to far in debt to support other Countries pet projects and to support Libraries and such,especially ones already closed.
Only support the bill if the Democrats take the pork out and make it about stimulus. America is already to far in debt to support other Countries pet projects and to support Libraries and such,especially ones already closed.
Check your math. Though the comma is in the right place, according to this article, Americans, “…will also receive an additional $1,4000 to bring the total stimulus support to $2,000.”
What went wrong here? Will you give me 14k? Please? Post a correction or a retraction before the East Coast reports to work, willya?
Check your math. Though the comma is in the right place, according to this article, Americans, “…will also receive an additional $1,4000 to bring the total stimulus support to $2,000.”
What went wrong here? Will you give me 14k? Please? Post a correction or a retraction before the East Coast reports to work, willya?
Don’t give out more money in a bill where we don’t know where it’s going. Yes, many Americans need financial help, however, we need to be sure this money is ALL going to the American people.
AMERICAS NEED THIS NOT OTHER COUNTRIES ALSO OVERIDE MCCONNEL
I think you should help the people. We have suffered enough.
I believe the people should get the money in order to help them with food, shelter & clothing as well as things people take for granted like toilet paper, body soap, shampoo, laundry soap, & many more things Democrats take for granted because they still get paid! All those things cannot be bought with SNAP! But I also believe this bill should not be used for foreign countries we need out, tax payer money needed for our citizens and help to reopen these businesses that thee Governs are not allowing to happen! Then also to Pelosi’s Pet Projects like the Kennedy ctr which isn’t even open as well. Thake out all the foolish items & that will save billions! Well after this election I certainly hope people stop & think before they VOTE! Let’s make a difference in 2 years!
The republicans should do what they always do which is NOTHING. They are feckless, political cowards, have not supported our president, put their own political ambitions above the needs of our nation and its citizens. Every politician’s first priority is to get reelected, the country and people be damned. We need term limits. The chances of that happening is a negative zero. Also Mitch McConnell is a disgrace. I live in Florida so I can not vote against him but I can give money to his opponents campaign. I suggest people across America do the same. It is beyond disgusting, in a time of extreme national suffering this man puts politics ahead of service to the people.
Has anyone noticed many of Biden’s appointees were in Obama’s administration. The “good old boys/girls” network is alive and well.
This 4 year assault on President Trump was about big money wanting an open door to China’s market. President Trump slammed it shut. That was the real issue. Everything else was smoke and mirrors. I believe it was Marks who said, “a capitalist will sell you the rope you use to hang him with”. Big money will always put profit ahead of patriotism. It is said we get the government we vote for. Not in this election. While the nation slept, the like a thief in the night, the election was stolen from the will of 74 million citizens.
Yes family’s and businesses need the government to pass this . Help America stop sending money to other countries. Show the American people you care
Everyone of the Senate members went home for Christmas knowing that their world was all good because they were going to get there ridiculously high paycheck that we the real working class fund. They have been asked to give us 2000 not really a big deal as rent is 1400 and utilities are up since the weather has gotten colder. They vote themselves raises and get a retirement even if they only hold office a couple of years.,,, They need to turn loose of the money because after all it’s not theirs it’s ours we are the ones who actually worked for it.
They already spent money we don’t have counting fishes and naming genders in Pakistan. If we’d run into debt we might as well do that for ourselves.
Richard get your head out of your ass and help the American people. Right on J. Stumpo.
Give us back our money we over paid in to keep our country running. It was Not for politicians to get rich and cheat and steal and lie about. We deserve our money back. More then anything else
600 is enough for my morgage that does not
count other expenses give us a break we need it bad instead of you putting
it in your suppose to be there to help
Trump is right! Help Americans! support the $2000!!!!
Only the people who have been layed off for 6 months or more should get the money. Those of us who are working do not need the money…give it to those who REALLY DO! All PORK spending has to be eliminated not just this time but always…we have over 25 TRILLION DOLLARS that has to be paid back and it will take generations to do so. Most people do not know that the governmen,t since President Reagon has taken over 20 TRILLION dollars from our social security fund with no ability to pay back…social security will run out of money by the early 2030’s. Sad what are government has raped us of. 7-1/2% of every paycheck and another 7-1/2% from our employers is taken for social security. What a shame that are cold hearted government has done to us an future generations.
Your article stands uncorrected. Edit the numerical inaccuracy.
If you could just give stimulus money to those that are actually affected by the COVID 19 closures that would be great. But to give money to people that are on welfare and public aid is ludicrous. There situation has not changed. They are still receiving the same monthly amount as in the past. Now if they are working and paying for additional daycare as their children are not able to attend school that is different.
I stand with President Trump. Increase the stimulus to $2000 and take out ALL FOREIGN AID! Until we can provide a more stable economy for our own legal citizens and private businesses, we have no business giving money to other countries. Let China do that. The corona virus is their fault anyway and they have been getting so much money from American trade, that they can afford it much more than we can. American politicians……get a clue! You are so out of touch with the average American it is SCARY! Working Americans and small businesses are hurting. I agree that those on government assistance only should NOT get stimulus money. It is true that their financial situation hasn’t changed and they therefore don’t need the aid. I won’t see a dime of the stimulus money myself but others are suffering terribly. God bless!
That’s $600 stimulus money was a slap in the American people’s face I don’t even begin to touch what they need parents going hungry so they can feed their children choosing between the roof over their head and feeding them or clothing them they need this $2,000 to at least try and keep a roof over their head and food in their stomachs and clothes on their kids backs and how my medicines that they need that they can get right now I think a lot of more people are dying from not getting their medications than they are from this virus yes a lot of people are dying from this virus to but this is the American people’s money they worked many years for this as I have and we all deserve it are things are going to get a lot worse than what you seen on the news at the White House Nancy Pelosi can afford $100 on ice cream and a special freezer for it how the American people can be lucky if they can buy an ice cream cone. I think dates are freezing their bank accounts and take away their money and let them live on what the American people have to live on right now and see how they like it they would sure pass out Bill real fast cuz they’re all too used to living high on the hill and have a medical help whenever they needed in medicine at their fingertips when they need it this is not right to make the American people suffer and their children.