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After the House voted in favour of the stimulus check increase as per Trump's demand, the legislation is stuck at the Senate level. On 29 December 2020, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell obstructed Democrats' effort to immediately increase the COVID-19 relief payments from US$600 to US$2,000.
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In a rare situation, both Democrats and Republicans are pushing for an increase in the Americans' financial help package. Trump's demand to increase the financial aid to the Americans was quickly embraced by Democrats, who supported the bill while it was passed in the House of Representatives
on 28 December 2020. However, it created a conflict in the Republican party and a dilemma for conservative senators like McConnell.
Trump also tweeted on Tuesday that unless Republicans had a death wish, they must have approved the increase in payments. Critics are looking at it as Trump's effort to regain some of his lost popularity before he leaves the White House.
Must read: US Congress Strikes USD 900 Billion Stimulus Deal for Coronavirus
What happened in the Senate Chamber?
It was assumed that the bill may hit roadblocks in the Senate. When Democrat Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer tried to pass the bill via a unanimous consent on the floor, McConnell raised the objection.
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By Tuesday evening, it was not clear what McConnell would do about the stimulus check bill, but the measure to increase the payment could be scheduled for another voting in the coming days. McConnell is facing growing pressure from both the parties. He also said that he would begin to examine the issue of increasing amount along with other two demands raised by President Trump, which also include imposing limits on giant tech companies, and the elections integrity.
Democrats are not happy with all the demands raised by President Trump. McConnell has also played smartly by binding Trump's all demands together, which he knows will not be accepted by Democrats. So, even if Republicans vote for Trump’s demands, there is a minimal chance that it would get Democrats’ support and become a law.
Republicans are changing their stance
Even the upgradation to US$600/person stimulus package came after long negotiations. Most of the Republicans had initially rejected the idea of an increased stimulus package. However, now multiple Republican senators are supporting Trump's demand for the stimulus package boost. Few Republicans who are supporting Democrats and Mr Trump are Sens. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.), David Perdue, Sens. Josh Hawley (Mo.), Lindsey Graham (S.C.) and Marco Rubio (Fla.).
In order to become a law, the bill needs the support of at least 12 Republican senators in the Senate.
A brief glance at the previous events
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Trump had tweeted that US$600 was too little a help for Americans, and they should have got at least US$2,000 as the financial aid for the coronavirus crisis. Speaker Nancy Pelosi had immediately supported President's demand, and the House voted 275-134 in favour of increasing the payment.
To know more, read here: House gives the green signal to USD 2,000 stimulus check. Will it cross the Senate's hurdle?
