Soon after the coronavirus relief bill was passed President Trump addressed the American people from the White House with an angry tone.
The Commander in Chief was upset about the measly $600 stimulus checks that were being included in the latest COVID-19 relief package being passed by Congress, and he flat out refused to sign the bill unless direct payments are increased to at least $2,000 per person.
House Democrats immediately agreed and began working on fixing the bill so that it would appease the President’s demands.
Following Trump’s interjection, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi all but dared Trump’s Republican allies in Congress to meet the president’s demand for far higher payments.
“At last, the President has agreed to $2,000. Democrats are ready to bring this to the Floor this week by unanimous consent. Let’s do it!” Pelosi said in a tweet. An aide said she would put the proposal forward Thursday for a vote.
Republicans have been reluctant to spend more on pandemic relief and only agreed to the big year-end package as time dwindled for a final deal. And Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic leader, said that “Trump needs to sign the bill to help people and keep the government open,” and Congress would step up for more aid after.
Siding with Pelosi were squad members Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar, as well as Georgia Senate nominee Jon Ossoff.
The President’s demands will undoubtedly put Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in an awkward position, as it seemed as if were the Republicans in Congress who were the ones pushing for a smaller stimulus package.