House GOP strikes down unanimous consent of $2000 direct payments to Americans

24 December 2020

House Democrats urged to remove 'insidious attack' on Social Security hidden within Senate coronavirus bill

House Democrats echoed President Donald Trump's request for $2,000 direct payments to Americans but Republicans have, once again, struck down the initiative which would have provided a much-needed financial boost for American workers.

Shortly after Trump's press conference on Tuesday, Dec. 22, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) signaled her support of increasing payments. The president lambasted lawmakers' $900 billion bill, which included direct payments of $600 to Americans—an amount Trump deemed inadequate.

According to The Hill, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) worked to pass the latest initiative for increased payments. However, Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) presented a countermeasure. Ultimately, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) struck down both requests arguing that "legislation can't be considered by unanimous consent unless there is the approval of bipartisan House floor and committee leadership."

Despite the latest ruling, Democrats will likely continue their efforts. Amid Republicans' denial of unanimous consent for $2,000 direct payments, Pelosi released a statement on Thursday morning criticizing lawmakers for their blatant disregard of Americans' "financial hardship" amid the pandemic.

"Today, on Christmas Eve morning, House Republicans cruelly deprived the American people of the $2,000 that the President agreed to support. If the President is serious about the $2,000 direct payments, he must call on House Republicans to end their obstruction," Pelosi said in the statement.

"To vote against this bill is to deny the financial hardship that families face and to deny them the relief they need," she said. "Hopefully by then the President will have already signed the bipartisan and bicameral legislation to keep government open and to deliver coronavirus relief."

Pelosi also vowed to hold another House session on Monday, Dec. 28. "On Monday, I will bring the House back to session where we will hold a recorded vote on our stand-alone bill to increase economic impact payments to $2,000."

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