As we told you last night, President Trump asked Congress to increase the amount sent to individuals in the Covid-19 relief bill from $600 to $2000:
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 23, 2020
But this has caused what’s being called a “full-blown legislative crisis”:
We are in the beginnings of a full-blown legislative crisis. It's two days before Christmas. Congress is home. We're in a pandemic. Unemployment insurance runs out on Saturday. Govt shuts down Monday. And the president is suggesting he'll blow up a bipartisan bill to avert this.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) December 23, 2020
And it’s not clear what the president will actually do as he did not specifically say he would veto the bill:
I laid out some of these thoughts in Playbook this morning, but I have further thoughts now.
Ppl counting on @realDonaldTrump backing down. Maybe. He is completely detached from the legislative process, & has no relationships w principals. So it's tough to know what he thinks
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) December 23, 2020
“Trump has now humiliated [Treasury Sec. Steven Mnuchin] once again”:
Irony of this whole thing is @realDonaldTrump could've gotten $2,000 stimulus checks if he was even remotely involved in this process. He wasn't even an observer. @senatemajldr fought just to get @stevenmnuchin1 in the room
Trump has now humiliated @stevenmnuchin1 once again.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) December 23, 2020
The president’s video is also having repercussions in the U.S. Senate runoff elections in Georgia as this puts Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue on the spot:
Trump’s demands play into #gasen Dem arguments. Says @ossoff: “President Trump is, as ever, erratic and all over the place. But on this point, tonight, he’s right: $600 is a joke. They should send $2,000 checks to the American people right now because people are hurting.” #gapol https://t.co/e31TrLyRtY
— Greg Bluestein (@bluestein) December 23, 2020
They both supported the bill with the $600 payments:
Here’s a joint statement from Georgia Republican Senators Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue on Monday praising the bipartisan Covid relief bill president blew up last night, where they blasted Democrats for “purposely holding up relief that could have been delivered months ago.” pic.twitter.com/bVacNgLf4z
— DJ Judd (@DJJudd) December 23, 2020
As for Dems, they’re no all for a stand-alone bill:
Republicans repeatedly refused to say what amount the President wanted for direct checks. 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! https://t.co/Th4sztrpLV
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 23, 2020
Does she mean like this one that President Trump proposed in October?
If I am sent a Stand Alone Bill for Stimulus Checks ($1,200), they will go out to our great people IMMEDIATELY. I am ready to sign right now. Are you listening Nancy? @MarkMeadows @senatemajldr @kevinomccarthy @SpeakerPelosi @SenSchumer
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 7, 2020
The one she purposely blocked?
It’s been 78 days since Trump offered to sign a standalone bill for stimulus checks. Pelosi openly admits she rejected the offer to hurt Trump.
— Kenny Webster (@KenWebsterII) December 23, 2020
Sen. Chuck Schumer is playing games, too:
We spent months trying to secure $2000 checks but Republicans blocked it
Trump needs to sign the bill to help people and keep the government open and we're glad to pass more aid Americans need
Maybe Trump can finally make himself useful and get Republicans not to block it again
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) December 23, 2020
The reality:
This is a thing that didn't happen. You rejected larger direct payments in the HEALS Act out of hand.
What a giant phony.
— Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) December 23, 2020
But the other reality is that now people who were expecting these checks to start going out next week have no idea where we stand:
Many people look foolish because of Trump's video (which people in the WH didn't even seem to know he was taping in another room) but don't forget the millions of Americans who were told their $600 checks, however small, were coming next week and now have no idea what to expect
— Kevin Liptak (@Kevinliptakcnn) December 23, 2020
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