Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell again rebuffed Democratic calls on Wednesday for a vote on a House bill that would increase COVID-19 relief payments to $2,000, adding that he sees “no realistic” path for the legislation.
McConnell has proposed a new bill that would wed $2,000 payments to the repeal of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and an inquiry into President Trump’s unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 elections. Democratic leaders in the Senate have rejected this proposal, instead urging the majority leader to take up the House-approved bill.
On Wednesday, the majority leader called for the Senate to take up an alternative bill that would tie $2,000 COVID-19 relief payments to an investigation into unfounded claims of voter fraud and a repeal of Section 230. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer dismissed McConnell’s proposal during Senate proceedings on Wednesday.
Senators have pledged to block the defense bill override vote until the Senate votes on $2,000 relief payments. Bernie Sanders responded by blocking quick passage of the veto override, leaving the possibility of keeping the Senate in session into New Year’s Day to finish consideration of the defense bill.
“Unless Republicans have a death wish, and it is also the right thing to do, they must approve the $2000 payments ASAP,” President Donald Trump stated after McConnell’s block Tuesday.
