House GOP defies Trump by blocking Democrats’ $2,000 stimulus check proposal

House Republicans went on the official record on Christmas Eve opposing Donald Trump’s and Democrats’ proposal for $2,000 stimulus checks to help Americans through the coronavirus pandemic.

In a rare, brief pro forma session of the chamber on the morning before Christmas, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer requested “unanimous consent” to quickly take a vote on a bill to increase the stimulus check programme to $2,000 for most individuals instead of the $600 codified in a section of the comprehensive $900bn Covid relief bill passed by Congress earlier this week.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy denied that request, and within 12 minutes of opening the floor, the House adjourned.

“Merry Christmas,” said presiding officer and Democratic Congresswoman Deb Dingell.