“The House bill is the only way, the only way” to get $2000 direct payments out, Schumer said Tuesday.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday blocked a push by Senate Democrats to vote on legislation that would increase the size of direct payments to Americans to $2000, setting up a clash with President Donald Trump, Democrats and some members of his own party who have backed the legislation. Trump, focused mostly on debunked allegations of voter fraud, swooped in at the 11th hour to demand Congress send larger checks to Americans after lawmakers passed a stimulus package on December 21, threatening to veto the legislation unless his demands were met. The request shocked members of his party and his aides, and nearly derailed the package altogether after lawmakers were unable to quickly amend the bill.
