by Anthony Gockowski
U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer, a Republican, was the only member of Minnesota’s congressional delegation to vote against a measure to increase COVID-19 stimulus checks to $2,000.
All of Minnesota’s Democratic members of Congress voted in favor of the proposal, which passed the U.S. House Monday in a vote of 275-134.
President Donald Trump signed a coronavirus relief package Sunday, but has continued to call for increasing direct payments to Americans from $600 to $2,000.
“$2,000 for our great people, not $600. They have suffered enough from the China Virus,” Trump wrote on Twitter Tuesday.
$2000 for our great people, not $600! They have suffered enough from the China Virus!!!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2020
Emmer was the only Minnesota Republican to vote against the Trump-backed proposal. U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber voted in favor of the stimulus increase, while U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn didn’t vote on the legislation because he was undergoing surgery to treat his kidney cancer.
A total of 44 House Republicans voted in favor of the increase, compared to just two House Democrats who voted against it.
275-143: House passes legislation to increase direct payments in COVID-19 relief law to individuals from $600 to $2,000, with 2/3rds majority vote needed. 44 Republicans voted Yes with nearly all Democrats. CASH Act now heads to the Senate. pic.twitter.com/XqvGy8tGq0
— Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) December 28, 2020
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell prevented the Senate from considering the proposal Tuesday, according to Politico.
“Unless Republicans have a death wish, and it is also the right thing to do, they must approve the $2,000 payments ASAP. $600 is not enough,” Trump said in response.
Unless Republicans have a death wish, and it is also the right thing to do, they must approve the $2000 payments ASAP. $600 IS NOT ENOUGH! Also, get rid of Section 230 – Don’t let Big Tech steal our Country, and don’t let the Democrats steal the Presidential Election. Get tough! https://t.co/GMotstu7OI
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2020
Stauber said he voted in favor of the stimulus increase “because many Minnesota families are hurting.”
“I believe this investment in the American people to be a worthwhile one,” he said in a statement. “However, stimulus checks can never replace a functioning economy. Rather than continuing to make people reliant on government checks, I believe it is past time Gov. Walz lifts his harmful shutdown, allows Minnesota’s small businesses to reopen and gives Minnesotans their God-given right to work and provide for their families.”
Minnesota’s entire congressional delegation, including Emmer, voted in favor of the COVID relief bill that passed last week.
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Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and reported for The Daily Caller.
