Senate Democratic Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerCongress affirms Biden win after rioters terrorize Capitol Cori Bush introduces legislation to sanction, remove all House members who supported election challenges Pelosi and Schumer call on Trump to demand all protesters leave Capitol MORE (D-N.Y.) said on Wednesday that passing legislation to provide $2,000 stimulus checks will be one of the first orders of business once Democrats take control of the chamber on Jan. 20.
“One of the first things I want to do … is deliver the $2,000 checks to the American families,” Schumer told reporters during his first press conference after Tuesday’s runoffs elections in Georgia that put Democrats on track to regain control of the Senate for the first time since 2014.
The Senate appears headed to a 50-50 split, with Vice President-elect Kamala HarrisKamala HarrisCongress affirms Biden win after rioters terrorize Capitol Here’s how newspaper front pages across the world looked after mobs stormed the Capitol On The Money: Dow closes at new record despite Capitol riot | Schumer says K checks will be top priority of Democratic-controlled Senate MORE poised to cast any tie-breaking votes.
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Schumer declined to provide any details on how he would try to pass legislation for the $2,000 checks, such as whether it would be a stand-alone bill, part of a broader coronavirus relief package or the first measure called up for a vote.
Spokespeople for Schumer didn’t immediately respond to a question about whether the leader wants to increase the stimulus checks under the latest stimulus deal from $600 to $2,000, or if the legislation he will offer would be for new checks in the amount of $2,000.
Unless Democrats are going to try to pass the checks through reconciliation — a budget maneuver that allows them to avoid a 60-vote procedural hurdle — they will need support from at least 10 Republicans in order to pass a bill providing additional direct payments.
The pledge by Schumer comes after Senate Republicans blocked multiple attempts to boost the amount of the stimulus payments included in the $2.3 trillion deal that funded the government and provided a new round of coronavirus relief.
The idea of increasing the checks has support from several GOP senators but it has also drawn fierce backlash from much of the caucus over concerns about spending or that the money does not go to those most directly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellCongress affirms Biden win after rioters terrorize Capitol Congress rejects challenge to Arizona’s presidential vote White House aides head for exits after chaos at Capitol MORE (R-Ky.) earlier this month addressed the issue by referencing Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiCongress affirms Biden win after rioters terrorize Capitol Third House lawmaker tests positive for COVID-19 this week West Virginia legislator livestreams himself joining mob at Capitol: report MORE (D-Calif.) and Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersFormer Sanders spokesperson: Warnock win shows ‘progressive messaging’ can pressure moderate Democrats Schumer says K checks will be top priority of Democratic-controlled Senate With Georgia blue, moderates will rule MORE (I-Vt.).
“While this huge new aid package takes effect, a bipartisan caucus in both chambers is not keen to let Speaker Pelosi and Senator Sanders to have universal cash giveaways regardless of needs,” McConnell said on the Senate floor.