On Monday, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would increase the amount of direct payments to Americans from $600 to $2000.

This wasn’t just a majority passing by Democrats either. 44 of the Republicans in the House also voted to pass the bill which brought the total percentage of House members who voted to pass it to 67%.

It not often that you see this sort of support behind a bill in the House.

Now the question is whether or not it’s going to pass in the Senate. In fact, it seems like there is still a question as to whether or not they’re even going to vote on it.

Senator Bernie Sanders plans on doing something about that though. He’s threatened to hold everyone hostage if they don’t vote on the bill.

Bernie tweeted,

“The House passed a $2,000 direct payment for working people. Now it’s the Senate’s turn. If McConnell doesn’t agree to an up or down vote to provide the working people of our country a $2,000 direct payment, Congress will not be going home for New Year’s Eve. Let’s do our job.”

The House passed a $2,000 direct payment for working people. Now it's the Senate's turn. If McConnell doesn't agree to an up or down vote to provide the working people of our country a $2,000 direct payment, Congress will not be going home for New Year's Eve. Let's do our job.

— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) December 28, 2020

Then, Bernie later tweeted,

“84% of Democrats want the Senate to pass a $2,000 direct payment. 73% of Republicans want the Senate to pass a $2,000 direct payment. 74% of Independents want the Senate to pass a $2,000 direct payment. The House approved a $2,000 direct payment. Let the Senate vote, Mitch!”

84% of Democrats want the Senate to pass a $2,000 direct payment

73% of Republicans want the Senate to pass a $2,000 direct payment

74% of Independents want the Senate to pass a $2,000 direct payment

The House approved a $2,000 direct payment

Let the Senate vote, Mitch!

— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) December 29, 2020

Senator Chuck Schumer has vowed to make sure that there would be a call for a vote.

“Following the strong bipartisan vote in the House, tomorrow I will move to pass the legislation in the Senate to quickly deliver Americans with $2,000 emergency checks,” Schumer said. “Every Senate Democrat is for this much-needed increase in emergency financial relief, which can be approved tomorrow if no Republican blocks it – there is no good reason for Senate Republicans to stand in the way.”

Some Republicans in the Senate appear ready to support the larger checks.

“I share many of my colleagues’ concern about the long-term effects of additional spending, but we cannot ignore the fact that millions of working class families across the nation are still in dire need of relief,” Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) said. “Congress should quickly pass legislation to increase direct payments to Americans to $2,000.”

Sources:
The Daily Wire