Trump Demands Congress Increase Second Stimulus Check From $600 to $2,000
Congress has agreed to a bipartisan $900 billion relief package that will include $600 stimulus checks.
A number of major media outlets - including The Washington Post, Fox News, The New York Times and USA Today - reported that the relief package will include funding for COVID-19 vaccine distribution, as well as funding for small businesses, hospitals, and schools.
President Donald Trump called the $900 billion Covid relief bill passed by Congress an unsuitable “disgrace” and urged lawmakers to make a number of changes to the measure, including bigger direct payments to individuals and families.
“I am asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600 to $2,000, or $4,000 for a couple,” Trump said in a video posted to Twitter Tuesday night.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1341537886315950080
In response, Speaker Of the House Nancy Pelosi tweeted “Democrats are ready to bring this to the Floor this week by unanimous consent. Let’s do it!”
https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi/status/1341557535732604935
The legislation passed both houses of Congress with veto-proof majorities.
The Washington Post notes, "Lawmakers had already finalized key economic relief measures, including stimulus checks up to $600 per person. The size of that benefit would be reduced for people who earned more than $75,000 in 2019, similar to the last round of stimulus checks, according to two people who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share details of private deliberations. The stimulus checks would provide $600 per adult and child, meaning a family of four would receive $2,400 up to a certain income."
The Washington Post added, "Congress would also extend federal unemployment benefits of up to $300 per week, which could start as early as Dec. 27."
