After months of denying Americans another stimulus package in the midst of a pandemic, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell finally agreed to include direct payments in a coronavirus relief package that could be approved by the end of the week.
Shortly after coming to an agreement, McConnell gave a simple reason as to why he finally caved in: “Kelly and David are getting hammered.”
By “Kelly and David,” McConnell obviously meant Georgia’s Senate Republicans Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, both of which are in a tight Senate runoff race that could determine which party gets control of the chamber.
As it stands, the relief bill would provide one-time direct payments of $600 per adult and $600 per child—significantly less than the $1,200 per adult and $500 per child under the CARES Act. The new package would also only extend emergency unemployment programs for 10 weeks as layoffs surge, setting the stage for another potential benefit lapse in the beginning of President-elect Joe Biden’s first term.
McConnell received backlash for waiting 215 days to finally pass a stimulus bill.
Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-N.J.) had some harsh words for the Republican leader.
Mcconnell republicans have been blocking sending you a new stimulus check for 215 days. Now they’re changing their mind.
Why? To help two flailing gop senators in a runoff campaign.
The republican party doesn’t give a damn about you.https://t.co/9jVoLHXLjT
— Bill Pascrell, Jr. (@BillPascrell) December 17, 2020
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