KEY POINTS

  • A majority of American voters say the $600 checks are 'too small'
  • 10% of Trump voters said the payments should be $5,000 or more
  • GOP lawmakers blocked an effort by the Democrats to increase stimulus checks

The U.S. Congress on Sunday passed a $900 billion relief package that included a $600 stimulus check that a majority of Americans describe as “too small.”

A majority of Americans described the $600 stimulus that was included in the $900 billion relief package passed Sunday by the U.S. Congress as being “too small.”

A recent poll showed that 33% of 305 people who voted for President Donald Trump in the 2020 election believe that the stimulus checks should amount to $2,000, while 70% said the payments should at least be $1,000.

Conversely, only 20% said the checks should amount to less than $600 and 10% of Trump voters believe the direct payments should be $5,000 or more, according to a poll from Business Insider and SurveyMonkey.

The survey, conducted on Dec. 21, also collected responses from people who supported President-elect Joe Biden. Among 507 Biden voters, 86% said the stimulus checks should be larger than $600 and 49% called for payments of $2,000 or more.

Among the survey’s 1,123 respondents, 76% said the stimulus checks should at least be $1,000 or more.

In a video posted on Twitter on Tuesday night, President Trump threatened to not support the $900 billion bipartisan bill unless Congress increases the stimulus checks to $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for couples.

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. I am asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600 to $2,000, or $4,000 for a couple,” Trump said in the video.

Democratic lawmakers moved to increase the amount of relief checks to $2,000 during a brief meeting of the chamber. Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland offered the proposal from the House floor, but it was blocked by House Minority Leader and Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she would hold a full recorded vote on the proposal to increase personal checks on Monday.

“If the President is serious about the $2,000 direct payments, he must call on House Republicans to end their obstruction,” Pelosi said.

Congressional leaders are nearing a deal on a new spending package to help the pandemic-battered US economy
Congressional leaders are nearing a deal on a new spending package to help the pandemic-battered US economy AFP / MANDEL NGAN