Trump calls on Republicans to 'go for the much higher numbers' on stimulus checks, opening the door to backing bigger direct payments
- President Donald Trump on Wednesday urged Republicans to send Americans larger stimulus checks to shore up the coronavirus-ravaged economy.
- "Go for the much higher numbers, Republicans, it all comes back to the USA anyway (one way or another!)" he said in a tweet.
- A second round of direct payments is among the few areas of agreement for Republicans, Democrats, and Trump.
- But that measure was omitted in the GOP's latest slimmed-down coronavirus relief proposal, which Democrats blocked.
- Negotiations between Democrats and Republicans on another stimulus package have been stalled for over a month.
President Donald Trump on Wednesday urged Republicans to back larger stimulus checks to prop up an economy still ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic.
"Go for the much higher numbers, Republicans, it all comes back to the USA anyway (one way or another!)" he said in a tweet.
He also accused Democrats of being "heartless" and not wanting to provide another direct payment to people, though that measure was left out of the GOP's latest coronavirus relief proposal.
A senior administration official told Business Insider that the president was referring to direct payments. The White House press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, said on Wednesday that Trump was "keen" to include stimulus checks in the next relief package and that he thought the overall plan should be bigger than what Republicans sought.
In March, Congress authorized $1,200 stimulus checks for many American adults plus an additional $500 per child under the age of 17 through the CARES Act. Republicans, Democrats, and Trump have all backed additional direct payments in the next coronavirus relief package — it's among the few areas of agreement.
But Republicans are unlikely to support bigger payments, as scores of GOP senators oppose new spending that would swell the federal deficit.
While the GOP initially included a provision for additional checks in its spending package in late July, it did not in its skinny proposal. That contained about $300 billion in new spending for $300 weekly federal unemployment benefits — half of what Democrats wanted — as well as small-business aid and new education funding.
Democrats blocked it, arguing that the plan was "emaciated" and omitted many measures they sought, such as federal assistance to states and rental assistance.
Republicans and Democrats remain deadlocked on another economic aid package. Nearly 30 million Americans are receiving unemployment benefits, and many economists have warned of a "K-shaped" recovery, where the wealthiest people surge ahead and the rest are left behind.
Pressure is mounting for lawmakers to act before they head back to their districts early next month for the October recess. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement on Wednesday that they were "encouraged" by Trump's tweet as both sides stood at an impasse.
"We look forward to hearing from the President's negotiators that they will finally meet us halfway with a bill that is equal to the massive health and economic crises gripping our nation," they said.
A group of 50 House lawmakers on Tuesday introduced a $1.5 trillion bipartisan relief plan in a last-ditch effort to kick-start negotiations that stalled last month. However, some Democratic committee chairs described it as inadequate.
Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently told Politico that Democrats should continue holding out for a wide-ranging stimulus deal from Republicans, one that includes direct payments, state aid, and significant public-health funding.