The House on Monday passed legislation that would increase the amount of direct payments in the recently signed coronavirus relief package from $600 to $2,000.
The bill passed in a 275-134 vote, with support from more than 40 Republicans. It needed a two-thirds majority under the procedures that were used for consideration, according to the Hill.
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The bill now goes to the Republican-controlled Senate where it faces an uphill battle.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he would try to pass the bill on Tuesday.
“Tomorrow I will move to pass the legislation in the Senate to quickly deliver Americans with $2,000 emergency checks. Every Senate Democrat is for this much-needed increase in emergency financial relief, which can be approved tomorrow if no Republican blocks it – there is no good reason for Senate Republicans to stand in the way,” Schumer said in a statement. “There’s strong support for these $2,000 emergency checks from every corner of the country — Leader McConnell ought to make sure Senate Republicans do not stand in the way of helping to meet the needs of American workers and families who are crying out for help,” he added.
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Under the Senate’s rules, any one member can try to pass or vote on a bill, but because it requires the cooperation of the entire chamber, any one senator can also block the request, according to The Hill.
No GOP senator has publicly said they will block the measure but Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson blocked a bill that would provide $1,200 checks, twice citing the national debt.
