Trump's Call for 'Much Higher Numbers' for Stimulus Undercuts Republican Strategy

By Dana Cruz Sep 17 2020, 01:55 AM EDT

President Donald Trump urged Republicans on Wednesday to go big on the next stimulus bill's price tag.

"Go for the much higher numbers, Republicans, it all comes back to the USA anyway (one way or another!)," he said in a tweet.

The second stimulus bill has been in an impasse now, with both Republicans and Democrats clashing over the price tag.

The Democrats are looking for a larger aid package at $2.2 trillion, while Republicans seek about $1 trillion.

Trump blamed Democrats for the stalemate in his negotiations. But Democrats agreed that there is a need for higher numbers on the stimulus bill.

In addition to that, Trump said the Democrats don't want to give Americans more direct payments amid the pandemic. He called them "heartless" for not having it in their proposed bill, reported the Business Insider.

He then went further that evening, encouraging the GOP to spend more on the next stimulus deal, according to Yahoo! Money.

"I like the larger amount," the President said during a press conference at the White House. He noted that some Republicans do not agree with him but believes he can convince them to "go along" with it.

Undercutting Republican Strategy

The message from Trump seems to undercut Hill Republicans' efforts in opposing the $2.2 trillion price tag, noted CNN. The Republicans have been insistent in pursuing the lower number that was lower than what the Democrats proposed.

Reports noted that the message might have caused private frustrations from Republicans. They have been focused on House Democratic infighting over their party's response to COVID-19.

They also chose to spotlight the Democrats' refusal to support a slimmer COVID-19 relief effort.

Chicago Tribune called the move "upbraiding" his Republican allies for giving a much lower amount to the relief package.

The tweet immediately highlighted Republicans' role in the stimulus negotiations. It prompted questions as to whether they will join Trump's call for a higher price tag.

The upside for many Americans here is that the move encourages priority to give direct payments for many.

GOP Lawmakers Dodge Questions

Some top Republicans have so far not embraced the President's message.

Some of the GOP lawmakers pushed back on Trump's suggestion of having "higher numbers." Others chose to avoid the questions about it altogether.

A $1.5 trillion aid package back by moderates in both parties earned praise from the White House. They also weighed in against it.

Senate Majority Whip John Thune (South Dakota) reacted to Trump's tweet on "higher numbers." He warned that the GOP support could deteriorate in the face of a hefty proposal.

When he was asked if he would, and his party, would support the call, Thune said he was not sure what "higher number" exactly meant.

"But I know sort of what the threshold is for what we can (get) Republican votes for in the Senate," he noted.

He said if the numbers are too high, what gets passed in the Senate will get passed mostly with Democrat votes and some Republicans.

"It's got to have a realistic range if we want to maximize, optimize, the number of Republican senators that will vote for it," he said.