dec 24, 2020 - US House Republicans block Democrats’ $2,000 stimulus check proposal

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House Republicans went on the official record on Christmas Eve opposing Donald Trump’s and Democrats’ proposal for $2,000 stimulus checks to help Americans through the coronavirus pandemic.

In a rare, brief pro forma session of the chamber on the morning before Christmas, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer requested “unanimous consent” to quickly take a vote on a bill to increase the stimulus check programme to $2,000 for most individuals instead of the $600 codified in a section of the comprehensive $900bn Covid relief bill passed by Congress earlier this week.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy denied that request, and within 12 minutes of opening the floor, the House adjourned.

“Merry Christmas,” said presiding officer and Democratic Congresswoman Deb Dingell. (The Independant)

On December 28, the House voted to override President Trump’s previous veto of the defense bill. The National Defense Authorization Act will now head to the Senate to complete the process of bypassing a veto. President Trump had vetoed the bill because he didn’t like Section 230, which protects internet companies from being liable for what’s posted on their sites by third parties.

On that same day, the House also voted to increase stimulus checks from $600 to $2,000, a move President Trump was adamant about. Senator Bernie Sanders has said he’ll delay the voting on the defense bill if the Senate does not also address the stimulus increase. On December 29, Senator Mitch McConnell blocked the vote to raise the stimulus to $2,000. Many other senators are upset at the lack of a simple vote, and still fighting to have a vote be held.

On January 1, the Senate voted to override President Trump’s veto of the defense bill. The vote was 81-13, much more than the two thirds necessary. (CNN)

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