Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Went on Twitter Monday night to expose what appears to be a strategy for how Senate Democrats can approach passing legislation that would increase direct pay amounts for many Americans from $ 600 to $ 2,000.
And his best attack seems to be the focus on defense … the defense financing bill, that is.
WHEN CAN ELIGIBLE AMERICANS EXPECT TO SEE THE CHECKS?
Sanders posted that Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has made it clear that he wants to approve the defense bill despite President Trump’s veto, and an annulment attempt is scheduled for Tuesday.
The House took the first step to override the president’s veto of the $ 740 billion National Defense Authorization Act on Monday, in a vote by 322 votes to 87.
Sanders tweeted that McConnell wants to vote to override Trump’s veto “and then come home for the New Year,” but he wrote: “I will object until we get a vote on legislation that provides a direct payment of $ 2,000 to the working class. “
Senator Ed Markey, D-Mass., Said he would join Sanders until there was a vote on the $ 2,000 exemption.
“This relief was passed in the House today with 44 Republicans voting in favor. Senate Republicans must do the same and get the help of the American people they need,” he posted.
Warren Gunnels, Sanders’ team director, tweeted that McConnell must ask for “Unanimous Consent” to vote to override the veto and his boss will object until “we get a vote on $ 2,000 direct payments”.
“We can force the Senate to remain in session until the New Year. This is not a bluff,” he posted.
The Politician said Sanders will obstruct McConnell’s attempt to overturn Trump’s defense bill. The report said Sanders could not prevent the annulment vote, but could postpone it until New Year’s Day.
A source close to Sanders told the news site that the second round of the Georgia Senate was also a factor in his decision and would keep Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue in Washington for a longer period before the January 5 vote.
Trump has advocated a higher payment to Americans who were affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump repeated his frustrations with the COVID-19 relief bill for providing only $ 600 checks to most Americans, instead of the $ 2,000 that his Republican colleagues have already rejected.
“As president, I told Congress that I want much less waste and more money going to the American people in the form of checks for $ 2,000 per adult and $ 600 per child,” Trump said in a statement released by the deputy press secretary for White House, Judd Deere on Sunday. “A lot more money is coming. I will never give up on my fight for the American people!”
But some Senate Republicans seem to be concerned about overspending. The Associated Press reported that McConnell did not publicly address his approach to the issue, but the Kentucky Republican praised Trump for signing the COVID-19 bill to put money in the pockets of struggling Americans.
After bipartisan approval of the House increase in payments, Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer said: “There is no good reason why Senate Republicans get in the way.”
“There is strong support for these $ 2,000 emergency checks from all over the country,” Schumer said in a statement late on Monday.
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He asked McConnell to ensure that the Senate helps “meet the needs of American workers and their families who cry out for help”.
The Associated Press contributed to this report