“Democrats are ready to bring this to the Floor this week by unanimous consent,” Pelosi wrote on Twitter. “Let’s do it!”
Republicans repeatedly refused to say what amount the President wanted for direct checks. At last, the President has agreed to $2,000 — Democrats are ready to bring this to the Floor this week by unanimous consent. Let’s do it! https://t.co/Th4sztrpLV
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 23, 2020
The massive 5,593-page bill was passed by both the House and the Senate on Monday night but immediately drew criticism for sending billions of dollars of aid to foreign countries but only $600 relief checks to Americans.
Pelosi claimed that Republican negotiators refused to say during their negotiations what President Trump actually wanted regarding direct checks.
“At last, the President has agreed to $2,000,” she wrote.
Pelosi previously refused any compromises with Republicans during the 2020 presidential campaign, including a stand-alone measure offering direct payments to Americans.
Many Senate Republicans opposed the idea of including a second round of direct checks to Americans as part of the relief bill.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) demanded that it be included and Senate negotiators ultimately settled on $600 checks for individuals and $600 per child.
