Mitch McConnell has now blocked the efforts to unanimously pass the House measure that would increase the $600 stimulus checks to $2,000. The Republican Senate Majority Leader offered no reason why he rejected the idea that was previously supported by the House and pushed ahead by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Many Democrats and some Republicans had supported the increase, at least on the surface, and the House approved it. The concept was then pushed to Senate for a vote and so far McConnell appears to be rejected the unanimous pass.
The effort is not yet ended, but McConnell essentially put a stake in it, dealing a drastic blow to millions of Americans who’ve suffered this year with not being able to work or having hours cut due to government restrictions and guidelines that caused many businesses to cut hours, lessen staff, or worse – shut down.
Axios reported that the “House voted 275-134 to pass the $2,000 direct payments bill on Tuesday, with 44 Republicans joining the majority of Democrats.”
The continued the report by noting multiple big name Republicans who support the increase from $600 to $2,000:
Sens. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) and David Perdue, the two senators running for re-election in the Jan. 5 runoff, both came out in support of the $2,000 checks earlier on Tuesday.
Republican Sens. Josh Hawley (Mo.), Marco Rubio (Fla.) and Lindsey Graham (S.C.) have also publicly said they will support the measure.
12 Republicans in total are needed to reach the 60-vote threshold to pass the bill if all Senate Democrats vote in favor, as expected.
The fate of the potential $2,000 is unknown, but appears to be in the hands of the GOP controlled Senate and is currently up for debate via live feed below.