House approves $2000 stimulus checks; sends bill to Senate

[Stevicus]

House approves Trump's $2K checks, sending to GOP-led Senate

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House voted Monday to increase COVID-19 relief checks to $2,000, meeting President Donald Trump’s demand for bigger payments and sending the bill to the GOP-controlled Senate, where the outcome is uncertain.

Democrats led passage, 275-134, their majority favoring additional assistance. They had settled for smaller $600 payments in a compromise with Republicans over the big year-end relief bill Trump reluctantly signed into law.

The vote divides Republicans who mostly resist more spending. But many House Republicans joined in support, despite being wary of bucking the president. Senators are set to return to session Tuesday to consider the measure.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pandemic aid secured, Congress turned Monday to confront the White House on additional year-end priorities after President Donald Trump reluctantly signed a $2 trillion-plus COVID-19 relief and federal spending package that will provide relief for millions of Americans.

The House was voting during the rare holiday week session on Trump’s unmet demand for larger $2,000 virus relief checks. Democrats who control the House favor the larger stipends, beyond the $600 payments included in the massive COVID bill. But the president’s push for more spending is forcing his Republican allies who oppose the higher payments into a tough spot.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declared, “Republicans have a choice: Vote for this legislation or vote to deny the American people” the assistance she said they need during the pandemic.

The showdown could end up as more symbol than substance, and the outcome is highly uncertain. Republican leaders indicated their party is split - some objecting to more spending while others are inclined to support Trump’s push for checks, wary of bucking the outgoing president’s demands.

It's hard to say how this will play out, but considering the burgeoning divisions within the GOP over this post-election debacle led by Trump, this could also cause some infighting within the party. The Senate Republicans will end up looking like Scrooge if they don't pass this - and maybe that's what Trump is hoping for.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

The Senate Republicans will end up looking like Scrooge if they don't pass this - and maybe that's what Trump is hoping for.

I suspect that may be correct, his way of "getting back" for the percieved slights made against him in not over turning the election.

 

[Brickjectivity]

House approves Trump's $2K checks, sending to GOP-led Senate



It's hard to say how this will play out, but considering the burgeoning divisions within the GOP over this post-election debacle led by Trump, this could also cause some infighting within the party. The Senate Republicans will end up looking like Scrooge if they don't pass this - and maybe that's what Trump is hoping for.

I think they'll be surprised at how many people use it to start personal businesses and then brag later they planned for that to happen.

 

[sun rise]

House approves Trump's $2K checks, sending to GOP-led Senate



It's hard to say how this will play out, but considering the burgeoning divisions within the GOP over this post-election debacle led by Trump, this could also cause some infighting within the party. The Senate Republicans will end up looking like Scrooge if they don't pass this - and maybe that's what Trump is hoping for.

I'll bet McConnell stops the Senate from voting on it.

But for Democrats, it's win-win. They make life difficult for Republicans while helping out the two candidates in the runoff where voting is now going on since the two of them can publicly reaffirm their support for what Trump has demanded.

 

[Mr Spinkles]

House approves Trump's $2K checks, sending to GOP-led Senate



It's hard to say how this will play out, but considering the burgeoning divisions within the GOP over this post-election debacle led by Trump, this could also cause some infighting within the party. The Senate Republicans will end up looking like Scrooge if they don't pass this - and maybe that's what Trump is hoping for.

Can I ask what may be a silly question? Why would Trump want Senate Republicans to look like Scrooge if they don’t pass it? Because Trump wants it to pass, you’re saying?

 

[fantome profane]

Can I ask what may be a silly question? Why would Trump want Senate Republicans to look like Scrooge if they don’t pass it? Because Trump wants it to pass, you’re saying?

Trump is a petty little man who wants to get revenge on McConnell and other for admitting the truth about the election and at the same time putting himself back in the spotlight,

 

[Twilight Hue]

House approves Trump's $2K checks, sending to GOP-led Senate



It's hard to say how this will play out, but considering the burgeoning divisions within the GOP over this post-election debacle led by Trump, this could also cause some infighting within the party. The Senate Republicans will end up looking like Scrooge if they don't pass this - and maybe that's what Trump is hoping for.

This is one time I hope no Republican with any sense would block something like this. People have been thrown in the fire too deep to a point where they won't be able to survive without a significant bailout from all the damages the government has forced on John Q Public.

Will Democrats for once in their pathetic lives, leave this alone and keep it vanilla this time?

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

From Wikipedia: Malignant Narcissism ...

Since sadism is often considered a feature of malignant narcissism, an individual with the syndrome may not only lack feelings of guilt or remorse for hurting others, but may even derive pleasure from the gratuitous infliction of mental or physical pain on others.
​

Why would anyone be surprised by Trump's senseless cruelty?

 

[Stevicus]

Can I ask what may be a silly question? Why would Trump want Senate Republicans to look like Scrooge if they don’t pass it? Because Trump wants it to pass, you’re saying?

I think he has reason to want to make his fellow Republicans look bad, especially if they didn't help him with his fight in the courts over the election.

 

[Valjean]

This is one time I hope no Republican with any sense would block something like this. People have been thrown in the fire too deep to a point where they won't be able to survive without a significant bailout from all the damages the government has forced on John Q Public.

The government forced this economic downturn on the people? Please explain.
You want Big Government to rescue us? I thought you opposed big government.

Will Democrats for once in their pathetic lives, leave this alone and keep it vanilla this time?

What are you talking about? It's the Democrats advocating the higher payout. It's the pro business Republicans opposing it.

 

[Twilight Hue]

The government forced this economic downturn on the people? Please explain.
You want Big Government to rescue us? I thought you opposed big government.
What are you talking about? It's the Democrats advocating the higher payout. It's the pro business Republicans opposing it.

Its the government that forced the lockdowns that caused people to lose their incomes and businesses so yea, I blame the government for this mess they created because they obviously don't think and plan properly.

Also I am still against big government, but in this case, they owe the general public compensation for all the damages created from their policies that had caused such a massive loss of jobs and businesses, and put countless families and individuals through a literal hell, all because they don't think and plan properly.

Last, the higher payout is appropriate but the Democrats just cannot leave any bill alone without the incessant need to stick things into it. If Republicans block the higher payout, then they share the culpability that they too, will damage further the situations the government placed people in.

 

[metis]

The estimates I've seen have it that achieving herd immunity without the vaccines would cost between 2-7 million American lives. Sweden tried to do it and has admitted that it didn't work and now is clamping down.

Thus, sequestering and temporarily shutting places down has shown to be effective if followed, but the unfortunate reality is that all too many ignored these guidelines and have done what economists warned them not to do.

 

[McBell]

McConnell blocks effort to quickly increase direct stimulus payments

^^LINK^^
​

My unpopular opinion is that those who are surprised about this needs to get their head out their as...-er...backside.

 

[metis]

McConnell blocks effort to quickly increase direct stimulus payments

^^LINK^^
​

My unpopular opinion is that those who are surprised about this needs to get their head out their as...-er...backside.

Yep, and the majority of the congressional Pubs weren't worried about the budget deficit that went largely into the coffers of the wealthy with the Trump tax break.

IOW, their attitude towards Americans in need is "Let them eat cake!".

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Can I ask what may be a silly question? Why would Trump want Senate Republicans to look like Scrooge if they don’t pass it? Because Trump wants it to pass, you’re saying?

Because he's concentrated selfishness and has an incredibly thin and fragile ego. Republicans, he believes, aren't doing enough to overturn the election amd keep him in, so he's "getting back" at them by saying what he knows people want to hear, what they know want, and what he knows Reps will say no to, something they will say no to his supporters to, and now he has introduced division because these "deep state" players are obviously just working against Trump.

 

[ecco]

This is one time I hope no Republican with any sense would block something like this. People have been thrown in the fire too deep to a point where they won't be able to survive without a significant bailout from all the damages the government has forced on John Q Public.

Golly Gee Mr. Hue. It looks like your hopes aren't going to be fulfilled. The Top Republican In The Senate doesn't want to do it because:
It's too expensive?
He wants to deny Trump?
Both?

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Wednesday pressed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to allow the upper chamber to vote on a House-passed bill that would send stimulus checks of up to $2,000 to most Americans.
​

By blocking the vote, McConnel is protecting those Senators who would vote against it. Thereby shoring up his leadership creds and maintaining power in the Senate (unless GA votes for the Repubs).

Will Democrats for once in their pathetic lives, leave this alone and keep it vanilla this time?

Why should they leave it alone?

Why shouldn't they make it very clear that the Repubs are the ones denying starving Americans something many clearly need.

 

[McBell]

Will Democrats for once in their pathetic lives, leave this alone and keep it vanilla this time?

Will Republicans?

Nope

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday introduced his own version of a bill to increase the $600 stimulus checks from the coronavirus relief package to $2,000, but also included two other major priorities for President Trump.

The legislation would also repeal Section 230, the controversial liability protection for online platforms, and create a committee on the Election Assistance Commission to study election integrity.

McConnell introduces his own bill on $2,000 stimulus checks, other Trump priorities​

 

[Twilight Hue]

Will Republicans?

Nope

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday introduced his own version of a bill to increase the $600 stimulus checks from the coronavirus relief package to $2,000, but also included two other major priorities for President Trump.

The legislation would also repeal Section 230, the controversial liability protection for online platforms, and create a committee on the Election Assistance Commission to study election integrity.

McConnell introduces his own bill on $2,000 stimulus checks, other Trump priorities​

I know. I'm in shock as anyone now.

Even more so that Trump and Pelosi are on the same side on this issue.

 

[McBell]

I know. I'm in shock as anyone now.

Even more so that Trump and Pelosi are on the same side on this issue.

My opinion is that Trump is simply lashing out at those he feels betrayed him.

 

[Revoltingest]

So.....how soon do I get my Trump dollars?