House Democrats are trying to pin the blame on Republicans as lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives failed to address issues raised by President Trump on the massive coronavirus stimulus bill.
Though the president did not say he would veto the 5,000-page-plus legislation, he did send it back to Congress with a list of problems, including criticism of a $600 relief check to Americans which he felt should be increased to $2,000. But lawmakers from both parties blocked each others’ “unanimous consent” requests on Thursday as the future of the bill remains in limbo over the Christmas holiday.
Democrats tried to quickly pass the bill on Thursday as House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md. seized on Trump’s request to increase the checks.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi quickly looked to blame Republicans and accuse them of blocking the president’s request – and of depriving Americans of the extra money. She added that the bill would now be taken to the floor with a full up-or-down vote on December 28,
Read my full statement here: https://t.co/u3JFVpo4A8
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 24, 2020
But the president had also called out the “wasteful and unnecessary” spending in the $900 billion stimulus package, specifically pointing to foreign aid that needed to be cut out of the measure which combined year-end spending with COVID-19 relief.
Dems fall all over selves to try to take credit for Trump’s $2,000 stimulus check demand https://t.co/qj0fJw73oW pic.twitter.com/SERIHrKNRZ
— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) December 23, 2020
“Mr. President, sign the bill to keep government open! Urge McConnell and McCarthy to agree with the Democratic unanimous consent request for $2,000 direct payments! This can be done by noon on Christmas Eve!” Pelosi tweeted Wednesday, in an effort to taunt GOP lawmakers.
Later Wednesday, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., announced that Republicans in the House would counter with their own unanimous consent request on foreign aid.
McCarthy calls out Dems’ dirty play, demands foreign aid slashed and ‘America first’ in COVID relief https://t.co/dk2e5mvK6u pic.twitter.com/LgPKePz6bB
— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) December 24, 2020
“House Democrats appear to be suffering from selective hearing. They have conveniently ignored the concerns expressed by the President, and shared by our constituents, that we ought to reexamine how our tax dollars are spent overseas while so many of our neighbors at home are struggling to make ends meet,” McCarthy wrote.
But as lawmakers got to the floor on Christmas Eve, a stalemate soon emerged as it appeared neither Republicans nor Democrats had advanced.
Rep. Rob Wittman of Virginia argued the case for removing the foreign aid portions of the bill.
House Democrats BLOCKED @RobWittman‘s unanimous consent request to re-examine taxpayer spending on foreign aid – as President Trump called for. pic.twitter.com/QVKSRqlLwu
— Mark Bednar (@MarkBednar) December 24, 2020
McCarthy made it clear that this was something the president had called for, in addition to the increase in stimulus checks.
House Republicans just moved to re-examine how we spend taxpayer dollars on foreign aid—as President @realDonaldTrump called for.
Democrats blocked it.
Thank you to @RobWittman for representing Republicans on Christmas Eve in the fight for the American people.
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) December 24, 2020
But Democrats, who are responsible for refusing to discuss a relief bill for months as they waited out the results of the presidential election, have zeroed in on the blocked “unanimous consent” related to the checks slated to go out to Americans struggling under the coronavirus pandemic.
“[B]y waiting days before Christmas, Speaker Pelosi tried to use the American people as leverage to make coronavirus relief contingent on government funding — which includes billions of foreign aid at a time when there are urgent needs at home,” McCarthy said in the letter to GOP lawmakers.
“If the President is serious about the $2,000 direct payments, he must call on House Republicans to end their obstruction,” Pelosi shot back after the failed efforts on Thursday.
Unless the president signs the measure, or a new funding bill is approved, the government will shut down on Tuesday.
Sources: BPR: Tempers flare as House fails to pass relief, Dems block request to reevaluate massive taxpayer-funded foreign aid
i think pelosi and schmur better remember jfk and he was a good man they are a waste
I think ikt would be in the best interests of the USA if Pelosi and Schumer were to meet their maker this week.
I think it might be good for politicians to go without paychecks for a while so they know how it feels. Most of them haven’t earned it anyway.
I agree 10000% with you. No Pay Checks To Elected Officials !!!!!!
Sandra, I totally agree with your comment. They will get justice one day soon and it won’t be monetary either
Shut down the government , it’s not working for every citizens anyway!!!! Everyone stay safe !!
Most of them already robbed the people, missing a pay check would not bother them!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No pork in the bill period! Why should we be sending our tax dollars overseas? This bill should be for Americans only whose to say that another bill or more won’t be needed before this is over. If Pelosi is so concerned she and Suckerface, Gates and Soros can send them money. It’s our money people. Call or write your rep and stop this pork spending.
Certainly the bill is loaded with outlandish PORK. But that could be dealt with at a later date. The people who have been caught in this nutty pandemic shutdown and become impoverished because of it deserve help NOW. Six hundred dollars won’t even pay one months rent in most cases. I claim independent status. The president has called for an increase in payment to the people. Pelosi is smart and she has agreed to the raise to the $2000-$4000 payment. So if the bill is blocked the republican senate will have to take the blame and the consequences along with it.
That is a foolish statement the pork will never go away and shouldn’t have been there to begin with. The stimulus is for Americans not other countries and nothing else needs to be in the bill it is just away for Pelosi to grab money. This is our tax dollars to help us and if Pelosi thought $1200 was crumbs she needs to learn math. Write and call your reps and tell them no PORK. Remember friend we are the ones that will be paying for this not the politicians.
BS, Pelosi and Dems are totally at fault for not removing the unnecessary crap out of a bill that is suppose to be for our citizens in need, not her daughters project Kennedy center or foreign governments the Dems cow down too
Nancy and Chuck are a disgrace to this country, with Joe in charge we will be a communist country in two years. What a shame.
You Know…..AMERICA .??…… This Country would “Definitely” be Better Off – Without the Miserable Democrats.!!! It is a Sad Thing that we can’t get Rid of All of them.!!!! Well, Maybe there are a few Hopefuls out there, but the Most of Them…… We Need to Get Rid of Them.!!! They do nothing for us True and Faithful Americans.!!!!
A lot of them should be swinging at the end of a rope if not behind bars.
Demorats would get more done faster if they would be made to donate there pay checks to homeless and military injured/vets like Trump does! They sure screw around long enough to make decisions and always sneaking in items that dont belong! Schummer and Pelosi need replaced with someone with a thinking brain not associated with corrupt trash like Obama and Soros!
I DAMN WELL AGREE WITH YOU.
I think Pelosi and her street gang of elected people should be tried for treason and executed on the white house lawn, the sooner the better!
When Speaker Pelosi tries to use the American people as leverage, it always means that she and a certain group of Democrats are going to steal something. In this case, most likely half of the $ 900 billion stimulus package. Otherwise, why would they all be multimillionaires?