Florida Senator Marco Rubio is breaking from Republican Senators and standing by President Trump’s demand that American’s receive larger stimulus checks. The House voted to pass the measure to increase stimulus checks from the previously proposed $600 to $2000 in the $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill. Now, the legislation will move to the Senate for a vote.
In his statement of support, Senator Rubio noted his concern for debt but ultimately put American families first. “I am concerned about the debt, but working families have been hurt badly by the pandemic,” Rubio wrote. “This is why I supported $600 direct payments to working families & if given the chance will vote to increase the amount.”
I am concerned about the debt, but working families have been hurt badly by the pandemic
This is why I supported $600 direct payments to working families & if given the chance will vote to increase the amount https://t.co/EciB6TszTY
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) December 28, 2020
On Sunday, President Trump signed the bill with the stipulation that stimulus is increased and the “pork” is removed. However, Trump noted that he will be asking for the removal of foreign aid from the legislation separately.
Fox News reports:
Rubio went on to blame Democrats for rejecting Republican attempts to “pass additional relief for workers, families, and small businesses…at every turn.”
“Remember, months ago Speaker Pelosi and Democrats rejected the Administration’s previous offer of $1,200 per adult and $1,000 per child. Thankfully, she’s finally stopped holding working families hostage,” Rubio said.
He continued: “I share many of my colleagues’ concern about the long-term effects of additional spending, but we cannot ignore the fact that millions of working-class families across the nation are still in dire need of relief. Congress should quickly pass legislation to increase direct payments to Americans to $2,000.”
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Rubio will also introduce legislation to amend Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act so that it continues to protect small businesses and companies that promote free speech on the Internet but takes away “immunity” for certain Big Tech platforms that moderate certain content, according to a press release.
President Trump vetoed the National Defense Authorization Act last week after his demand for the removal of Section 230 was not met by lawmakers. The House voted to override the President’s veto on Monday.
