Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Worked on Twitter late Monday to explain what the strategy appears to be in how Senate Democrats can approach legislation that would increase the direct payment of many Americans from $ 600 to $ 2,000.
And his best offense seems to be to focus on defense … the defense funding bill, that is.
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Sanders said Senate leader Mitch McConnell had made it clear he wanted to pass the defense bill despite President Trump’s veto, and that a coercive effort was planned for later Tuesday.
The House took the first step to overrule the president’s veto of the $ 740 billion National Defense Act on Monday in a 322-87 vote.
Sanders tweeted that McConnell wants to vote to dominate Trump’s veto ‘and then go home for the New Year’, but he writes: ‘I will object until we get a vote on legislation for a direct payment of $ 2000 to the working class. . “
Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., Said he would join Sanders until there is a vote on the $ 2,000 relief.
“The relief passed in the House today with 44 Republicans voting in favor. Senate Republicans must do the same and get the American people the help they need,” he posted.
Warren Gunnels, Sanders’ chief of staff, tweeted that McConnell was expected to ask for “unanimous consent” to vote on the veto and his boss would object until “we get a vote on $ 2,000 direct payments.” .
“We can force the Senate to remain in session until the new year. This is no bluff,” he posted.
Politico has reported that Sanders will defend McConnell’s attempt to overthrow the veto of Trump’s defense bill. According to the report, Sanders can not switch the mood, but can postpone it until New Year’s Day.
A source close to Sanders said on the news website that the demise of the Georgia Senate was also a factor in his decision and that Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue would hold a major term in Washington before the January 5 vote.
Trump has been a proponent of a larger payout to Americans affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump reiterates his frustrations with the COVID-19 bill for providing only $ 600 checks to most Americans instead of the $ 2,000 his fellow Republicans have already rejected.
“As president, I have told Congress that I want to spend much less wasteful spending and more money on the American people in the form of $ 2,000 checks per adult and $ 600 per child,” Trump said in a statement issued by the Deputy Press Secretary of the White House, Judd. Deere on Sunday. “A lot more money is coming. I will never give up my fight for the American people!”
But some Senate Republicans appear to be concerned about runaway spending. The Associated Press reports that McConnell did not publicly address his approach to the issue, but the Republican from Kentucky did praise Trump for signing the COVID-19 bill to get money in the pockets of struggling Americans.
After dual approval for the increased payments by the House, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said, “There is no good reason for Senate Republicans to stand in the way.”
“There is strong support for these $ 2,000 emergency tests from every corner of the country,” Schumer said in a statement late Monday.
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He called on McConnell to make sure the Senate helps meet the needs of American workers and families calling for help.
Associated Press contributed to this report