Progressive Democrats signal support for Trump’s higher direct payment request

President Trump’s request that Congress rewrite the massive coronavirus relief bill passed earlier this week to include direct payments of $2,000 to Americans is being met with cheers from progressive Democrats. 

“Let’s do it,” said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) in a tweet late Tuesday. “[Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.)] and I already co-wrote the COVID amendment for $2,000 checks, so it’s ready to go.”

“Glad to see the President is willing to support our legislation,” Ocasio-Cortez added.

Let’s do it. @RashidaTlaib and I already co-wrote the COVID amendment for $2,000 checks, so it’s ready to go.

Glad to see the President is willing to support our legislation.

We can pass $2k checks this week if the Senate GOP agrees to stand down. https://t.co/GprwrUPali pic.twitter.com/nFFs1ExqCK

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 23, 2020

In a video message earlier Tuesday evening, Trump ripped the $2.3 trillion bill, which as written includes stimulus checks of only $600 as part of a $900 billion in coronavirus relief funding. The bill also includes  another $1.4 trillion to fund the government through most of next year. 

“A few months ago, Congress started negotiations on a new package to get urgently needed help to the American people. It’s taken forever. However, the bill they are now planning to send back to my desk is much different than anticipated. It really is a disgrace,” Trump said. “Despite all of this wasteful spending and much more, the $900 billion package provides hardworking taxpayers with only $600 each in relief payments, and not enough money is given to small businesses, and in particular restaurants, whose owners have suffered so grievously.”

The bill has been criticized by many Democrats for not including enough money in stimulus checks for Americans and no funding for state and local governments adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Some Republicans have said the package is too expensive and chock full of wasteful spending and unnecessary items.  

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) also welcomed Trump’s remarks.

“That’s great!” he tweeted. “Now, Mr. President, get [Senate Majority Leader] Mitch McConnell [R-Ky.] and your Republican friends to stop opposing it and we can provide working class Americans with $2,000. Let’s do it.”

That’s great! I first introduced a bill to provide a $2,000 direct payment with @SenKamalaHarris & @EdMarkey 7 months ago. Now, Mr. President, get Mitch McConnell and your Republican friends to stop opposing it and we can provide working class Americans with $2,000. Let’s do it. https://t.co/fKvqBsqM0k

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) December 23, 2020