By: Natalie Dreier
Now that the Georgia runoff election determined the future of the Senate, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has pledged that the priority of his tenure will be to pass legislation that will give $2,000 stimulus checks, multiple media outlets reported.
The Democrats take control of the Senate on Jan. 20 after the swearing-in of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
The Senate is expected to be split 50-50 with Harris being the tiebreaking vote in her future role as the president of the Senate.
“One of the first things that I want to do when our new senators are seated is deliver the $2,000 checks to the American Families,” Schumer said, according to CNBC.
The Hill reported it is unclear if the checks will bring the recently issued payments of $600 to the $2,000 threshold or if the $2,000 would be in addition to what has already been paid.
The legislation would need a 60-vote approval, meaning at least 10 Republicans would have to vote for the plan, or it could be passed with a reconciliation, The Hill reported.
President Donald Trump had pushed for the higher amount, but the final deal only allowed for the $600 amount, CNBC reported. Trump had called the amount passed “ridiculously low,” Fox Business reported.
Biden is expected to also rally for more aid once he takes office, CNBC reported
