- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked an attempt by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to unanimously approve a House-passed bill to increase direct payments in the coronavirus relief package to $2,000 from $600.
- President Trump has pushed for larger stimulus checks after threatening to veto the year-end coronavirus relief and government funding legislation.
- Republicans including Georgia Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, who are running in crucial Jan. 5 runoffs that will determine control of the Senate, have expressed support for bigger checks.
Source: Covid stimulus update: McConnell blocks Schumer bid to pass $2,000 checks
