Trumps Wants a Bigger Stimulus Check

The White House made renewed calls to Congress to come up with a second bigger stimulus check. This time, President Donald Trump wants Republicans to go beyond their skinny proposal and issue a bigger relief package. This includes a bigger stimulus check for Americans.  

RELATED: Is a Second Stimulus Check Still Happening?

On Wednesday, Trump urged Republicans to support a bigger COVID-19 relief bill. He tweeted: “Democrats are “heartless”. They don’t want to give STIMULUS PAYMENTS to people who desperately need the money, and whose fault it was NOT that the plague came in from China. Go for the much higher numbers, Republicans, it all comes back to the USA anyway (one way or another!).”

Stimulus Check Update

Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany clarified the tweet during Wednesday’s press briefing. She said the president referred to the $500 billion “skinny bill” GOP Senators passed last week. Last Thursday, the Senate voted on a Republican bill on a $500 billion stimulus package. Democrats opposed it en masse, saying it did not contain enough to help everyone. The measure didn't pass, getting only 52 votes (it needs 60 to pass). McEnany said Trump thinks that the relief amount was too little, and it “didn’t include direct payments.” The President “wants more than the $500 billion and he’s very keen to see these direct stimulus payments.”

In particular, the President looks to favor bigger stimulus checks for American households. While both parties are discussing sending a new batch of $1,200 stimulus checks, he wants a bigger amount. Trump said on Wednesday: “I’d like to see it be very high because I love the people. I want the people to get it.” The president did not say how much higher the stimulus checks should be. He did say “I like the larger amount. Some of the Republicans disagree, but I think I can convince them to go along with that.”

House Problem Solvers Caucus

Two days ago, the bipartisan House Problem Solvers Caucus proposed a compromise $1.5 trillion stimulus package. Chief of Staff Mark Meadows says that the plan was “very thoughtful.” I'm probably more optimistic in the last 72 hours than in the last 72 days,” Meadows said. He also said that if Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is willing to stay in session, a bill might pass soon. Meadows thinks the biggest obstacle remains “the amount of money that is outlined for state and local help.” 

In  a press release, the caucus states: “Having seen no progress on a new COVID-19 relief package in four months, and in recognition of Americans' increasing suffering, the Problem Solvers Caucus (PSC) has developed a comprehensive, bipartisan framework to meet the nation's needs for the next 6-12 months, that can pass both chambers of Congress and be signed into law by the President.” 

Several Democrats have already rejected the plan, saying the plan needs more money. 

Encouraging Signs

Top Democrats in Congress, however, are warming up to the President’s call for a bigger stimulus. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement that the White House’s pronouncements were encouraging. In a joint statement, they said: “We are encouraged that after months of the Senate Republicans insisting on shortchanging the massive needs of the American people, President Trump is now calling on Republicans to ‘go for the much higher numbers' in the next coronavirus relief package.” 

“We look forward to hearing from the President's negotiators that they will finally meet us halfway with a bill that is equal to the massive health and economic crises gripping our nation. By the end of the week, 200,000 Americans will have died from the coronavirus. The lives and livelihoods of the American people depend on Republicans abandoning their obsession with doing as little as possible while the coronavirus rages through our nation,” they said. Pelosi also committed that the House will remain in session until Congress passes another coronavirus relief bill. 

While there is no definite timetable nor a clear agreement on the budget yet, Trump has helped advance the talks where a deal must be made. If there is a time for compromise, it has to be now. Otherwise, it will take an election for much-needed help to arrive.

Watch this as White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows is optimistic a Covid-19 relief package is still possible:

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Do you think a stimulus package will pass soon? More importantly, do you agree with Trump that it should contain a bigger stimulus check? Share with us your thoughts on what the second stimulus package should contain. Comment below and let us know.