Georgia Republican Sen. David Perdue’s political propaganda defending the virtues of a $ 900 billion COVID-19 economic relief bill, which included $ 600 direct assistance payments to eligible Americans, was hampered by the president’s suggestion Donald Trump that he would not turn the bill into law.
Congress approved the stimulus package on Monday, after weeks of negotiations. On Tuesday, Trump released a video asking Congress to rework the legislation and provide direct assistance payments of $ 2,000 to qualified Americans.
In the announcement, a voice can be heard criticizing Perdue’s Democratic opponent for the Senate seat, Jon Ossoff, for his alleged resistance to providing COVID relief.
“Jon Ossoff opposed the previous relief from COVID and encouraged Democrats to block additional aid for months,” said the announcement. “But Senator Perdue never gave up. Perdue again gave a really significant helping to Georgians. $ 900 billion in new COVID aid. Direct checks to Georgians. Critical funding for vaccine distribution. Small businesses, public schools and help for the unemployed . “
“Ossoff obstructed,” added the 30-second announcement. “Lose delivered.”
In a move that surprised many observers, Trump said Tuesday night that he wanted Americans to receive more money. “I’m asking Congress to amend this bill and raise the ridiculously low amount from $ 600 to $ 2,000 or $ 4,000 per couple,” said Trump.
Ossoff tweeted his support for Trump’s call for higher payments. “Checks for $ 2,000 now,” wrote Ossoff on Tuesday.
Newsweek contacted Perdue’s office for comment.
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Ossoff criticized Perdue at a campaign event in December for not pushing for higher direct assistance payments, telling participants that Perdue “should be in Washington delivering checks for $ 1,200 for every Georgian and $ 500 for every child in this state, because people are suffering and we need help now. “
Before Trump’s announcement, Perdue and his fellow Republican candidate for the Georgia Senate, Kelly Loeffler, counted on the payment of direct assistance to convince voters to stand aside. In a joint statement released on Monday, Perdue and Loeffler said they “provided two rounds of relief checks to help everyone survive”.
On Monday, before the stimulus package was approved in Congress, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said checks for $ 600 could begin to be sent “just in time for the holiday.” Trump’s request for higher payment amounts means that when or if checks are distributed to Americans it is in the air.
Trump is expected to spend the winter holidays at Mar-A-Lago, his Florida resort. If Trump does not sign the bill within 10 days of receiving it, the bill will not move forward, leaving Congress to possibly revisit the legislation in 2021. House Democrats have indicated that they are ready to unanimously pass an autonomous bill that would allow checks for $ 2,000 to be sent.
Republicans want to win two special elections in Georgia. If the two Republicans retain their seats in the Senate, the Republican Party will retain control of the Senate. If the Democrats win both elections, the Senate will be divided equally between the two parties. Democrats may have the advantage in the event of a tie because Democratic vice president-elect Kamala Harris would be in charge of casting the tiebreaker.