Senator Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) Plans to filibuster the Senate veto over the replacement of the bipartisan defense bill unless the House holds a vote on the $ 2,000 stimulus payments included in the bill. ‘relief of COVID, Politico reported on Monday.
Why it’s important: While it is unlikely that Sanders will stop voting on veto replacement, delaying it until New Year’s Day could create new obstacles for the Republican party.
- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) Has yet to announce plans to vote on stimulus controls.
The big picture: “The American people are desperate and the Senate has to do its job before leaving the city,” Sanders told Politico. “It would be unconscious, especially after the House did the right thing, for the Senate to simply leave Washington without voting on it.”
- This delaying tactic would upset Messrs. David Perdue (R-Ga.) And Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.), Who are campaigning for their Jan. 5 races in Georgia for control of the Senate.
- Keeping them in DC would focus the race on their lack of explicit support for payments, writes Politico, whose challenges they have approved.
- It is unknown whether direct payments of $ 2,000 have enough support among Republicans to pass the Senate. At least 13 Republicans should cross the aisle.
- President Trump signed the relief bill Sunday, but urged Congress to increase direct payments from the $ 600 initially described to $ 2,000 per person.
What to see: The Senate is expected to hold its vote on Tuesday on replacing the veto on the defense bill.