After blocking a quick vote on the $2,000 relief check bill on Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) introduced his own version of the bill Wednesday (Dec. 30) that would raise the $600 relief check amount to $2,000.
The bill also includes two other priorities proposed by President Trump (R-Texas) regarding the repeal of the controversial online platform liability protection Section 230 and the creation of the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to investigate election fraud.
McConnell said on the Senate floor Tuesday that this week, senators will take up President Trump’s proposal to send $2,000 relief checks to Americans struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic, but he blocked Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) attempt to offer a Tuesday vote.
Schumer called for passage of the $2,000 relief check bill Tuesday afternoon. Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders called for a vote on the bill this Wednesday afternoon.
McConnell also said the Senate will also address Trump’s request for regulations on social media company protections (Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act) and the president’s request for widespread election fraud allegations in the general election.
McConnell said, “These are three important themes that the president has raised that are tied together.” “This week the Senate will begin to take up these three priorities.”
But McConnell’s comments did not provide firm assurances that any of these issues would receive a vote or that McConnell would make a special effort for these topics.
The likelihood of McConnell’s bill gaining the support of 60 senators remains to be seen. Some Republicans, particularly a handful of Republican senators who have already indicated a willingness to support the $2,000 relief check, may support the bill, but most Democrats will likely not vote for the proposal on the election fraud investigation.
Senate Minority Leader Schumer of New York said Tuesday that McConnell’s new proposal would not pass and that it was a “cynical charade.
Sen. David Perdue, R-Georgia, who will run in the Jan. 5 runoff in Georgia, said Wednesday on “Fox & Friends” that he supports McConnell’s bill after he expressed support for the $2,000 check.
I can tell you that what Mitch McConnell wants to do is consistent with what the president has said,” Perdue said. I support the president’s efforts on Section 230, which is to repeal (Section 230) and (send) $2,000 relief checks. We fully support that.”
Trump took to Twitter Tuesday afternoon to urge Republicans to approve the $2,000 payment as soon as possible. “$600 is not enough! Also get rid of Section 230 – don’t let Big Tech steal our country and don’t let Democrats steal presidential elections. Be tough!” He said.
On Monday evening, the House voted 275-134 to pass the Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help (CASH) Act of 2020, which would increase the face amount of checks paid directly to eligible Americans from $600 to $2,000.
Whether the House bill or McConnell’s own bill receives a vote will depend on McConnell himself. For now, McConnell is prioritizing overriding Trump’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). He plans to hold a full Senate vote on the NDAA Wednesday afternoon.
The bill had already passed both chambers of Congress last week by a majority vote, but was vetoed by President Trump. On Monday, the House voted overwhelmingly to override Trump’s veto of the NDAA.
On Tuesday, Trump took to Twitter to criticize Republican leaders for previously allowing the current version of the NDAA to pass. He wrote that weak and weary Republican “leaders” would allow the bad National Defense Act (NDAA) to pass.
The president specifically cited Republican congressional leaders for their inaction in ending Section 230 of the Communications Act and protecting national historic sites, forts, treasures, 5G and the great American soldier.
The president wrote that weaklings have completely caved in to Big Tech (the tech giants). “Negotiate (to get) a better bill immediately, or get a better leader! The Senate should not approve the NDAA until it is amended (by the bill)!!!”
Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders said Tuesday that the $2,000 bill must be passed before a vote on the NDAA. But if McConnell moves forward with a vote on the NDAA as expected, he could end debate on overriding the veto this Friday and take a final round of votes against the veto on Saturday.
The current session of Congress ends on Jan. 3, which means both the CASH bill and McConnell’s own bill must be completed by that date, or the incoming session will have to restart the legislative process entirely.
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