Donald Trump’s $US2,000 demand dismissed by Republican Mitch McConnell

US #Senate #Majority #Leader #Mitch #McConnell has all but shut the door on #President #Donald #Trump’s push for $2,000 COVID-19 relief cheques, declaring #Congress has provided enough pandemic support.

The #Republican leader made clear he is unwilling to budge, despite political pressure from #Mr #Trump and even some fellow #Republican senators demanding action.

#Mr #Trump wanted a recently agreed-upon $US600 ($778) in aid increased to $US2,000 ($2,594).

The bill outlining the initial payments was passed by #Congress on #Monday, but a second vote on the larger sum was not held in the #Senate despite requests from #Democrats and it passing the #House of #Representatives.

#Mr #McConnell dismissed the idea of bigger “survival cheques”, saying the money would go to plenty of #American households that do not need it.

#Mr #McConnell’s refusal to take the measure to a vote means the additional relief the #President wanted is all but dead.

“#We just approved almost a trillion dollars in aid a few days ago,” #Mr #McConnell said, referring to the end-of-year package #Mr #Trump signed into law.

#He said the #Senate would consider “smart targeted aid” if it was required.

The showdown between the outgoing #President and his own #Republican #Party over the $US2,000 cheques threw #Congress into a chaotic session just days before new members of congress were to be sworn into office.

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#Mr #Trump has been berating GOP leaders and tweeted: “$2,000 ASAP!”

#Lack of support for extra aid could sway #Georgia #Senate vote

#President-elect #Joe #Biden supported the payments and wants to build on what he calls a “down payment” on relief.

“””#In this moment of historic crisis and untold economic pain for countless #American families, the president-elect supports $US2,000 direct payments as passed by the #House,” #Mr #Biden transition spokesman #Andrew #Bates said.

#For the second day in a row, #Senate #Democratic leader #Chuck #Schumer tried to force a vote on the bill approved by the #House.

#With the #Georgia #Senate runoff elections days away, leading #Republicans warned that the GOP’s refusal to provide more aid as the virus worsens, could jeopardise the outcome of those races.