Trump Wants $2,000 Stimulus Checks, Lawmakers To Work Through Weekend To Finalize Details
President Donald Trump wants to approve a stimulus check as big as $2,000 in the next coronavirus relief package. While Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell signals lawmakers to prepare to work until the weekend to finalize the details of the relief bill.
Trump expressed support over a higher stimulus check to be included in the next coronavirus relief bill. McConnell told lawmakers to prepare to vote for the bill over the weekend.
Read also: Senate Assures to Deliver Relief Aid Before Leaving the House
Trump Demands Direct Stimulus Checks
Trump and his administration have always pushed for the inclusion of direct stimulus checks even before the presidential election. For a couple of times, the Trump administration offered different stimulus packages. But top Democratic leaders rejected the offers.
According to a published report in The Washington Post, White House aides intervened on Thursday to prevent the president from issuing a statement calling for substantially larger stimulus payments for millions of struggling Americans.
The report said Trump told his allies that the next relief package must include at least $1,200 stimulus checks or higher for every individual. Congress is already preparing to vote for a relief package that includes $600 direct stimulus checks.
It can be recalled that both parties are an inch closer to seal the deal after the Senate bipartisan group proposed the $908 billion. However, the negotiation stalled after the Trump administration offered $916 billion, including $600 direct stimulus checks.
Trump's Aide Overheard Phone Conversation Over Direct Stimulus Checks
According to the Washington Post report, one person, who heard Trump's phone conversation with his allies on Thursday, confirmed that the president wanted to include stimulus checks amounting to at least $1,200 or as big as $2,000 per person in the next relief package.
However, White House officials told the president that doing so could jeopardize the economic relief package negotiations. Trump was in the middle of drafting his demand for the larger payments when this happened.
The president did not directly state the stimulus package amount but posted early in the morning that "stimulus talks [are] looking very good."
White House spokesman Ben Williamson did not comment about the phone conversation, but said the administration was working on approving another round of stimulus payments through negotiations with Congress.
Williamson said: "We're working with Congress to settle on an agreement that can pass as soon as possible."
Read also: Bipartisan Group of Senators Will Fully Introduce $908 Billion Relief Bill
Mitch McConnell Told Lawmakers To Prepare Through the Weekend
In a recent The Hill report, McConnell told lawmakers to prepare to work over the weekend. Lawmakers might vote for the next relief package. The earliest that the Senate could vote will be on Saturday.
McConnell said: "The Senate's not going anywhere until we have COVID relief out the door. We're staying right here until COVID relief is out the door. In the meantime, we're going to stay productive while these negotiations are going on."
It can be remembered that McConnell assured that Senate members would not leave until a rescue package is passed and signed into law. He is also optimistic that his demands will be addressed in the upcoming administration.
McConnell wants to deliver the needed relief package to Americans before the year ends.