HOME / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Will Covid-19 stimulus check increase to $2,000? Trump demands amendment to bill, Internet calls him 'disgrace'

Nancy Pelosi responded, 'At last, the President has agreed to $2,000 — Democrats are ready to bring this to the Floor this week by unanimous consent. Let’s do it!'

President Donald Trump criticized the Covid-19 stimulus bill passed by Congress, stating it won't provide sufficient money in a second stimulus check for Americans affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Trump asked Congress to take the bill back and increase the size of the second stimulus check to $2,000 per person.

"I am asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600 to $2,000. Or $4,000 for a couple," Trump said, adding that the $900 billion stimulus bill took "forever" to pass. He made the comments on Tuesday, December 22, evening in a video posted to his own Twitter account.

“I am also asking Congress to immediately get rid of the wasteful and unnecessary items from this legislation, and to send me a suitable bill, or else the next administration will have to deliver a covid relief package, and maybe that administration will be me,” Trump said.

He went on to mention the millions of dollars included in the 5,593-page package, including cash for two National Mall museums, $10 million for “gender programs” in Pakistan and $2.5 million for “internet freedom”. Trump said the American people got the “bare minimum” from the bill even though “it was China’s fault.”

The POTUS didn't stipulate whether he would actively veto the bill. If Trump vetoes the stimulus package or declines to sign it (known as a "pocket veto"), Congress has a choice to pass the bill with a two-thirds majority vote in both the Senate and House of Representatives. President-elect Joe Biden said earlier on Tuesday that he'll offer another Covid-19 stimulus check when he takes office in January 2021.

Biden praised Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders and the Republicans for agreeing on a stimulus package, despite the limit on included checks being $600 rather than the $1,200 that the two parties agreed on in March's stimulus bill.

As soon as his comments came to light, people started reacting to it, Sen. Chuck Schumer tweeted, "We spent months trying to secure $2000 checks but Republicans blocked it Trump needs to sign the bill to help people and keep the government open and we're glad to pass more aid Americans need Maybe Trump can finally make himself useful and get Republicans not to block it again."

Nancy Pelosi wrote, "Republicans repeatedly refused to say what amount the President wanted for direct checks. At last, the President has agreed to $2,000 — Democrats are ready to bring this to the Floor this week by unanimous consent. Let’s do it!" 

Some people slammed him and said, "You are a disgrace. You should be removed from office immediately for refusing to sign this bill." While another one said, "This is the clearest proof yet Trump is unfit, and he doesn’t even understand how the most basic government works."

Asking him to sign the bill, a user wrote, "WTF bro?!? Stop trying to play hero and sign the sh*t." Another said, "Do you even understand what you’re saying? People are dying because of you, sign the bill!!!!"

One angry person said, "Where the hell have you been?! You have had WEEKS to say something and NOW you have an opinion, days before Christmas, days before when unemployment programs are scheduled to end?" Another questioned, "So, wait a sec. POTUS has not signed the spending bill. @CNN @FoxNews, does this mean that the government had shut down last night and no one noticed??"

The 5,593-page package was introduced on Monday, December 21, afternoon and passed the House and Senate late with broad bipartisan support, clearing the Senate by a 92-6 margin. The package promised $900 billion in new assistance, including the $600 stimulus checks, enhanced unemployment aid for 11 weeks, small-business assistance and a range of other measures.