The American people are not very happy with Congress right now.
As of today, 12 million individuals lost their unemployment benefits; in order to prevent this, Republicans and Democrats in Washington would have needed to pass more COVID-19 relief prior to Thanksgiving. This new loss in benefits now has many Americans left out in the cold with little hope.
Towards the beginning of this week, Congress finally managed to reach an agreement on new coronavirus relief. However, this relief entailed $600 stimulus payments for Americans; this amount is one that both GOP and Democrat leaders alike have described as simply not enough.
However, other Republicans, such as Sens. Ted Cruz and Rand Paul, are criticizing “free money Republicans” for voting to spend money that the government simply doesn’t have.
In the wake of backlash against proposed $600 stimulus payments, the GOP voted no deal on stimulus checks amounting to $2,000, confirms Newsmax.
The Truth About $2,000 Stimulus Payments
Stimulus checks of $2,000 are more than three times the $600 payments that Republicans and Democrats initially agreed upon.
According to GOP officials like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and others, the money for stimulus payments of $2,000 simply isn’t there. Likewise, congressional Republicans are also warning that payments of this nature wouldn’t be targeted to the groups most in need of them.
This COVID relief is good news for thousands of small businesses and workers who have hung on. But the truth is Congress could have done this deal months ago.
Nancy Pelosi is the only reason it didn't happen sooner. While Americans lost paychecks, she continued to collect hers.
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) December 21, 2020
The prospect of $2,000 stimulus payments may not ever come to fruition. Lawmakers had enough trouble reaching an agreement on the stimulus package that involved $600 checks; furthermore, even that piece of legislation engendered pushback from Republicans who viewed the spending as reckless.
Proposing over thrice the amount of initial spending for stimulus checks doesn’t appear very realistic, all things considered. Still, news of the GOP’s vote against stimulus checks amounting to $2,000 triggered blowback from Americans in favor.
Finally, a recent poll from Business Insider confirmed that 62% of Americans perceive $600 stimulus checks as “too small.”
The Monday and Tuesday Votes
On Monday, December 28, House members will convene for a vote on whether to support or upturn President Trump’s recent veto of the congressional defense bill. Then, on Tuesday the 29th, member of the Senate will cast their votes regarding the president’s latest veto.
Senate Republicans have been trying since July to get more targeted, bipartisan relief into the hands of the American people. Until the election, Democrats kept saying no.
I’m glad for our country that we are finally moving ahead together. pic.twitter.com/G8PUrQgGN8
— Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr) December 21, 2020
Left-wing lawmakers in Washington have indicated that they will push for a vote via roll call to ram through $2,000 stimulus checks along with funding to stop a possibly imminent government shutdown.
What do you think about $2,000 stimulus checks for Americans? Be sure to let us know where you stand in the comments section below!
