US House of Representatives has backed the increase in individual stimulus package under the new coronavirus bill from $600 to $2,000. The Democratic-led House passed the bill with the support of more than forty Republican lawmakers. Meanwhile, the incumbent US president has championed the increased payments.
But political experts have suggested that the bigger coronavirus stimulus could face opposition in the Republican-led Senate. In a separate development on Monday, the House also voted to override Trump’s veto on the critical defense bill passed by the congressional leaders earlier this month. It will also move to Congress for approval.
More:
- Trump Fails To Sign Economic Relief Bill into Law
- Donald Trump Vetoes ‘Unconstitutional’ Defense Bill
Even though the Democratic party has a narrow majority in the House of Representatives, both the bill presented on the floor required a two-thirds majority to pass. Nancy Pelosi stated that the Republican lawmakers have only two choices either they block the move, or they help the House in delivering bigger paychecks to Americans who need it desperately.
On the other hand, many Republican lawmakers expressed their concerns about the increase in government spending. But the lower House voted 275-134 in favor of the increased stimulus checks. On Sunday, the outgoing president made the bill into law and averted a partial federal government lockdown.
The coronavirus stimulus package of $900 billion is a part of $2.3 trillion that also includes $1.4 trillion for government spending. In the last few days, since Trump asked the lawmakers to increase the amount of the stimulus checks, many Republican and Democratic lawmakers have urged the incumbent to sign the bill. If the House failed to make changes and approve it, it would have deprived more than 14 million people of the money they need amidst a pandemic.
The House call to override the presidential veto on the defense bill saw more Republicans breaking the ranks and was passed by 322 to 87. Republican lawmakers maintained that they would out nationally interest at the top while voting for the bill.
