Scoop: Rubio asks Biden for $ 2K stimulus checks as call for unity



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Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) On Tuesday night urged President-elect Joe Biden to immediately call on Congress to pass $ 2,000 stimulus checks to the American people as a sign of congressional unity, according to a letter obtained by Axios.

Why is this important: Rubio has backed such payments before, but by calling on the new president to “break the paralysis in Washington by providing desperately needed relief,” the potential 2024 presidential candidate is posing as a practical supporter. Biden already supports payments.

What he says: “It would send a powerful message to the American people if, on the first day of your presidency, you asked the House and Senate to send you a bill to increase direct economic impact payments to Americans in trouble due to pandemic from 600 to 2000 dollars. ”Wrote Rubio.

  • Biden urged Congress to approve as many as possible before opting for $ 600 checks last month.
  • President Trump then suspended the checks, threatening to veto the legislation unless Congress increased the amount to $ 2,000. Trump has since sparked condemnation from the GOP after helping to incite last week’s attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Rubio and other republicans are now trying to find ways to mitigate the political damage.

  • “Although I frequently disagree with your administration over the next four years, I am determined to work in good faith to advance extremely important and effective policies on behalf of the people of this great nation,” said Rubio.
  • “You have the ability to help break the paralysis in Washington by providing desperately needed relief. I implore you to rise above the rhetoric and provide increased assistance to American families.”

Read the letter.

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