Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. backed President Trump’s call for $2,000 stimulus checks Friday after the Senate majority leader and other Senate Republicans blocked a last-ditch bid for larger direct payments in the latest coronavirus relief package. Trump and lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle called on the Senate to approve $2,000 direct payments, up from the $600 set to be dispersed beginning this week. But Mitch McConnell and other Republicans scuttled efforts for a standalone vote before the current session of Congress ends. McConnell and his allies argued that a proposed increase in the size of direct payments would further bloat the national debt and send money to American families without a dire need. Trump called the vote "pathetic" and once again targeted Republicans for their failure to support larger direct payments.

Source: Fox News January 02, 2021 00:33 UTC