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House Republicans Block Measure to Increase Stimulus Checks to $2,000
The House of Representatives convened on Thursday in an attempt advance a measure that would increase stimulus payments to Americans from the GOP-backed $600 to a more robust $2,000. The Christmas Eve push was shot down, essentially moving Congress back to square one while President Donald J. Trump continues tweeting.
I hope we never find life on other planets because there's no doubt that the U.S. Government will start sending them money!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2014
The $900 billion stimulus package was attached to a spending bill for the entire federal government, which is now in limbo. The deadline for government funding expires Monday at midnight.
House Democrats will now move to pass the bill on the floor with a full up-or-down vote on December 28, Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced.
“Hopefully by then the President will have already signed the bipartisan and bicameral legislation to keep government open and to deliver coronavirus relief,” Pelosi said in a statement.
Congress had previously passed a COVID relief bill, which included up to $600 payments to all Americans making under certain income levels. But on Tuesday, Trump signaled he wouldn’t sign the bill if Congress doesn’t amend the legislation and raise the “ridiculously low” $600 stimulus checks to $2,000 for individuals or $4,000 per couple.
“If the President is serious about the $2,000 direct payments, he must call on House Republicans to end their obstruction,” Pelosi said.
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