WASHINGTON — Now that the Georgia runoff election determined the future of the Senate, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has pledged that the priority of his tenure will be to pass legislation that will give $2,000 stimulus checks, multiple media outlets reported.
The Democrats take control of the Senate on Jan. 20 after the swearing-in of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
The Senate is expected to be split 50-50 with Harris being the tiebreaking vote in her future role as the president of the Senate.
“One of the first things that I want to do when our new senators are seated is deliver the $2,000 checks to the American Families,” Schumer said, according to CNBC.
>> Read: Stimulus checks: What does ‘Payment Status #2 - Not Available’ mean?
The Hill reported it is unclear if the checks will bring the recently issued payments of $600 to the $2,000 threshold or if the $2,000 would be in addition to what has already been paid.
The legislation would need a 60-vote approval, meaning at least 10 Republicans would have to vote for the plan, or it could be passed with a reconciliation, The Hill reported.
>> Read: Stimulus check update: If you have not gotten your check yet, here is how you can track it
President Donald Trump had pushed for the higher amount, but the final deal only allowed for the $600 amount, CNBC reported. Trump had called the amount passed “ridiculously low,” Fox Business reported.
>> Read: Stimulus checks: Will babies born by 2020′s end get $1,100 payment?
Biden is expected to also rally for more aid once he takes office, CNBC reported.
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