South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham has criticized Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky for calling $ 2,000 stimulus checks “socialism for the rich” on New Year’s Day.
Senate Republicans blocked another Democratic effort to secure a vote on raising direct payments Friday from $ 600 to $ 2,000. In a speech, McConnell downplayed the measure, calling it ‘socialism for rich people’ and a ‘universal cash gift’.
“With all due respect to my Republican colleagues, a direct payment of $ 2,000 for individuals and families struggling is not socialism,” Graham tweeted. “In my opinion, it is necessary in the times in which we live.”
The South Carolina Senator has insisted that ‘direct payments may not be [the] most effective way to help people in need, but is extremely important given the situation we are facing. ‘
“Going from $ 600 to $ 2000 does not make you a socialist. Mr. President, keep fighting for the American people who are suffering. Insist on an independent voice,” Graham added.
With all due respect to my Republican colleagues, a direct payment of $ 2,000 for individuals and families struggling is not socialism.
In my opinion, it is necessary in the times in which we live.
– Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) 1 January 2021
Newsweek came out to McConnell’s office for comment.
President Donald Trump has joined some Democrats and Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent, against the $ 900 billion dual relief bill because they included only a “meager $ 600” earlier this month. He initially refused to support the measure without $ 2,000 checks, but later Sunday capitulated and signed the package of his Mar-a-Lago estate, avoiding a government strike.
At the time, Trump said Republicans had agreed to a new vote on $ 2,000 stimulus checks and urged members of his party to do so. The Democratic-led House passed $ 2,000 stimulus checks on Monday. But McConnell has repeatedly blocked the legislation to secure a vote in the Senate.
Graham, a Trump loyalist who publicly backed with bigger stimulus checks after spending time with the president at his Florida golf club on Christmas Day, applauded the signing. “Congress will vote on additional stimulus controls and repealing Article 230 – all wins for the American people,” he tweeted earlier this week. “Well done Mr. President!”
Sanders also disputes McConnell’s remarks on the Senate floor on New Year’s Day. He accuses the Republican leader of hypocrisy for calling stimulus checks “socialism for the rich,” despite supporting massive tax breaks for companies.
“This is what socialism is for the rich,” Sanders said of the tax cuts. “Socialism for the rich does not – in the midst of this terrible pandemic – place a $ 2000 check in the hands of working families.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stressed the urgent need to hold a vote before the current Congress ends Sunday. “I will ask permission for the last time that the Senate should allow time for a vote on the Home Account to deliver $ 2,000 checks. I did this every day this week,” he said on the Senate floor.
“This is it – the last chance for the 116th Congress to pass $ 2,000 checks and tell ordinary Americans that help is on the way. Let’s vote.”
Drew Angerer / Getty