Trump Asks for a Stimulus Do-Over, $2,000 Minimum Checks
In a move that shocked Congress, Trump tweeted his displeasure at the $900 billion COVID-19 stimulus bill, asking for minimum $2,000 checks for individuals and “$4,000 for couples.” Trump conveyed his sentiments in a video on Twitter where he called the current $600 stimulus checks “ridiculously low.”
In the video, he also asked Congress “to get rid of the wasteful and unnecessary items from this legislation, and to send me a suitable bill.”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 23, 2020
The 5,000+ page bill tied up a lot of loose legislative ends for the year, as bills passed during lame-duck sessions of Congress often do. However, this bill was so long the White House had issues printing it.
Both House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) jumped on the suggestion.
“Let’s do it,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted, sharing the COVID amendment for $2,000 checks written by herself and fellow representative Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.).
Let’s do it. @RashidaTlaib and I already co-wrote the COVID amendment for $2,000 checks, so it’s ready to go.
Glad to see the President is willing to support our legislation.
We can pass $2k checks this week if the Senate GOP agrees to stand down. https://t.co/GprwrUPali pic.twitter.com/nFFs1ExqCK
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 23, 2020
Pelosi also tweeted, “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!”
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
However, the bill passed both the Senate and House of Representatives with veto-proof majorities, indicating Trump may not be able to block the bill.
CNN reported that several sources said Trump’s video, which was recorded by the White House and not open to the media, may not prompt renegotiation of the bill.
See: 10 Surprises Congress Snuck Into the Stimulus Package
Find: What a $600 Stimulus Check Can Actually Buy You in America
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) tweeted, “Trump needs to sign the bill to help people and keep the government open.”
Today, Democrats in the House of Representatives will attempt to pass a bill with higher stimulus payments. They are aiming for unanimous consent.
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