House votes to increase stimulus checks to $2K, bill now heads to Senate for vote

December 29, 2020 Amber8 US 0

FILE- This Dec. 24, 2020, file photo shows the U.S. Capitol is seen in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 6:47 AM PT – Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Members of the House of Representatives voted to increase stimulus payments from $600 to $2,000. The bill passed with bipartisan support in a 275-to-134 vote on Monday, which included 44 Republicans. This fulfilled the two-thirds majority needed to pass in the lower chamber.

President Trump had expressed disapproval of the smaller stimulus payments while noting the bill focused too much on foreign aid and not enough on Americans. The measure would cost around $464 billion in addition to the multi-trillion dollar spending package.

“Not enough money is given to small businesses and, in particular, restaurants, whose owners have suffered so grievously,” he stated. “It’s called the COVID relief bill, but it has almost nothing to do with COVID.”

Senators on both sides of the aisle have backed President Trump’s push to increase the stimulus payments. For instance, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) took to Twitter to praise the President’s move.

Congress will vote on additional stimulus checks and repealing Section 230 — all wins for the American people.

Well done Mr. President!

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) December 28, 2020

Meanwhile, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) also voiced his support. He stated, “I agree with the President that millions of working class families are in dire need of additional relief.”

President Trump’s proposal has even garnered support from Democrats with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer confirming he will work to quickly pass the legislation.

“I will be on the floor of the Senate floor tomorrow (Tuesday) urging that to happen…I will be asking what’s called the unanimous consent request,” Schumer stated. “We need that money — people are desperate, they need the help.”

The bill now heads to the Senate for a vote.