Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) Urged President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday night to immediately call on Congress to approve $ 2,000 stimulus checks for the American people as a sign of Congressional unity, according to with a card obtained by Axios.
Why it matters: Rubio has supported these payments before, but by asking the new president to “break the paralysis in Washington by delivering desperately needed relief”, the prospective 2024 presidential candidate is presenting himself as a practical supporter. Biden already supports payments.
What is he saying: “It would send a powerful message to the American people if, on the first day of your presidency, you call upon the House and Senate to send legislation to increase direct economic impact payments to Americans struggling with the pandemic from $ 600 to $ 2,000 , “Rubio wrote.
- Biden asked Congress to approve the larger number before opting for $ 600 checks last month.
- President Trump then suspended checks, threatening to veto the legislation unless Congress raised the amount to $ 2,000. Since then, Trump has triggered the Republican Party’s condemnation after helping to incite last week’s attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Rubio and other republicans they are now trying to find ways to mitigate the political damage.
- “Although I often disagree with his administration for the next four years, I am committed to working in good faith to promote effective and extremely important policies on behalf of the people of this great nation,” said Rubio.
- “You have the ability to help break the paralysis in Washington by delivering desperately needed relief. I beg you to rise above rhetoric and deliver an increase in assistance to American families.”
Read the letter.