Strange alliances continue, as more GOP senators, some with past and eventual presidential ambitions, back the president and Democrats, including socialists, on the $2000 stimulus checks.
On Wednesday McConnell introduced his own bill that would raise the check amount to $2000 and address presidential priorities such as Section 230 and election integrity. It has little chance of passage but is a tactical move by McConnell to gain advantage.
FNC: “As of Tuesday afternoon, Sens. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga.; David Perdue, R-Ga.; Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; Josh Hawley, R-Mo.; and Marco Rubio, R.-Fla., have backed the House legislation for $2,000 stimulus checks, which passed with more than a two-thirds majority. Seven more Senate Republicans would need to come out in support of the checks in order to break a filibuster on a cloture vote and set the issue for an up-or-down vote…Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that the Senate will address President Trump’s request to increase stimulus checks sent to Americans to $2,000, but did not commit to pushing the issue as he blocked attempts by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to put the House bill on $2,000 stimulus checks up for quick consideration. That led Trump to launch a Twitter broadside against Senate Republicans, warning them that if they don’t have a ‘death wish’ they’ll back the boosted checks.” The president’s effort at Dick Morris-like triangulation may work here for himself and for Loeffler and Perdue in Georgia, who have come out for the $2000 checks. It allows them all to campaign against the DC establishment as evidenced by their own party. Nice touch.
“Unless Republicans have a death wish, and it is also the right thing to do, they must approve the $2000 payments ASAP,” Trump tweeted Tuesday. “$600 IS NOT ENOUGH! Also, get rid of Section 230 – Don’t let Big Tech steal our Country, and don’t let the Democrats steal the Presidential Election. Get tough!”
Unless Republicans have a death wish, and it is also the right thing to do, they must approve the $2000 payments ASAP. $600 IS NOT ENOUGH! Also, get rid of Section 230 – Don’t let Big Tech steal our Country, and don’t let the Democrats steal the Presidential Election. Get tough! https://t.co/GMotstu7OI [1]
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2020 [2]
Chuck Schumer’s move would have passed the $2000 stimulus checks Tuesday afternoon. Bernie Sanders’ request would have set a vote on the bill for stimulus checks Wednesday afternoon. McConnell killed both.
“There are only a few days left in this session,” Chuck Schumer said Tuesday on the checks and the NDAA override. “We should not adjourn until the Senate holds a vote on both measures: the NDAA veto override and the House bill to provide $2,000 checks for the American people.” But Mitch McConnell may have something altogether different in