Stimulus Checks

Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont is attempting a maneuver to force Mitch McConnell (Senate Majority Leader) to allow the bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday to a vote on the senate floor. The bill passed by the house would increase the stimulus check being distributed in the U.S. from $600 to $2,000. This is the target amount that both the Democratic Party and the President, Donald Trump, have both publicly announced support for.

President Trump unexpectedly signed the $900 billion Covid relief package into law on Sunday, averting a federal government shutdown. The bill extends unemployment benefits for millions and grants a one-time stimulus check of $600 for each eligible individual instead of the $2000 he initially demanded by Trump.

US President-elect Joe Biden has released a statement Saturday, urging President Donald Trump to sign the Covid-19 relief bill that was passed by Congress earlier this week.

“It is the day after Christmas, and millions of families don’t know if they’ll be able to make ends meet because of President Donald Trump’s refusal to sign an economic relief bill approved by Congress with an overwhelming and bipartisan majority,” Biden said in the statement. "This abdication of responsibility has devastating consequences."

On Thursday House Republicans blocked a bill put forward by Democrats that would have resulted in $2,000 stimulus checks for individuals as part of a Covid-19 financial aid package. President Trump had demanded to increase the proposed $600 stimulus checks to $2000 earlier this week but the GOP has rejected the move.

"On Monday, I will bring the House back to session where we will hold a recorded vote on our stand-alone bill to increase economic impact payments to $2,000. To vote against this bill is to deny the financial hardship that families face and to deny them the relief they need," Pelosi said in a statement.

President Donald Trump called the recently passed coronavirus relief bill a "disgrace" on Tuesday and has demanded changes, including $2000 stimulus checks instead of the proposed $600 and to get rid of "wasteful and unnecessary items".

"I'm asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600 to $2000 or $4000 per couple," Trump said in a video released on Twitter. "I'm also asking Congress to immediately get rid of the wasteful and unnecessary items in this legislation or to send me a suitable bill."

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer responded on Twitter: "We spent months trying to secure $2000 checks, but Republicans blocked it. Trump needs to sign the bill to help people and keep the government open, and we're glad to pass more aid Americans need. Maybe Trump can finally make himself useful and get Republicans not to block it again."

President Donald Trump has halted negotiations with Democratic lawmakers over a Covid-19 relief bill until after the election.

"I have instructed my representatives to stop negotiating until after the election when, immediately after I win, we will pass a major Stimulus Bill that focuses on hardworking Americans and Small Business," Trump announced on Twitter. The US stocks fell by more than 2% after the announcement.

Shortly after, Trump tweeted he "was ready to sign right now" if "sent a Stand Alone Bill for Stimulus Checks ($1,200), they will go out to our great people IMMEDIATELY."

Family members of deceased US residents are reporting that their dead relatives had received the Coronavirus relief fund payments from the IRS. The $1,200 stimulus payments were deposited into the dead people's bank account, well after the family had informed the authorities of their loved one's passing. As of now, there are conflicting statements whether the families can keep the payments.