Washington D.C. — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is blocking an effort to increase the COVID-19 Relief checks from $600 to $2000.
Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed a standalone measure to increase the scheduled $600 relief checks by $1400. President Trump called for this increase and criticized the $600 check, saying it is not enough to make up for the months of hardships Americans have faced over the last nine months.
Despite his criticism, President Trump signed the $2.3 Trillion stimulus package, which included the $600 relief checks.
The measure passed the House of Representatives on a vote of 275 to 134. 44 Republicans joined House Democrats to pass the bill with the 2/3rds majority required. The bill was opposed by 132 Republicans and 2 Democrats, arguing against the additional expense of increasing the checks.
The fate of the bill now rests with the Senate.
Early indications showed that the bill was gaining some steam with Senate Republicans, including moderate Florida Republican Marco Rubio.
The bill hit its first major roadblock this afternoon when Socialist Democrat Senator Bernie Sanders made a motion to bring the bill up for a vote. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell objected, putting the bill on hold indefinitely.
Sen. McConnell can change his mind at any time and call for a vote, but there is no telling if that will happen.
Some are arguing that the move from Sen. McConnell will have a negative impact on Republican chances to keep the Senate in the Georgia Runoff Election, but there is no guarantee that this is true.
Sen. McConnell acknowledged the President’s request to increase the relief payments but has not stated whether or not he will take up the issue.
The new Congress starts on January 3, so McConnell has to make a decision by January 2 at the latest, or the bill dies, and the process would have to start all over again.
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