Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the ‘Squad’ introduce bill for $2,000 stimulus checks backed by Trump

ALEXANDRIA Ocasio-Cortez and the “Squad” introduced a bill for $2,000 stimulus checks backed by Donald Trump.

The new legislation comes in a stand-alone measure, after President Trump earlier this week refused to sign off on a coronavirus package that would have given $600 stimulus checks to Americans.

The bill was introduced by Democratic Reps Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Pramila Jayapal of Washington, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts.

Tlaib said Americans are “suffering to no fault of their own” in a statement, as she called on Republican members of Congress to back the bill.

“This holiday season, families are being forced to make incredibly difficult decisions, such as whether they should keep their lights on or buy groceries,” Tlaib said.

She added: “Providing $2,000 survival checks would give those struggling right now a lifeline as we continue to fight to defeat COVID-19.

“It’s time for Trump to stop bluffing and get the members of his party in line so that the government can provide this long overdue relief to people across the country during this time of great need.”

The new bill comes after a coronavirus package with $600 stimulus checks was passed in the House and Senate – but was rejected by President Trump after he threatened a veto.

Trump sent the bill back to Congress, demanding that the checks be for $2,000.

On Thursday, however, GOP representatives blocked $2,000 payments.

In a looming shutdown, Congress is expected to convene on Monday to vote on $2,000 payments.

As Democrats are weary that the language of the stimulus package will not be amended to give Americans $2000 over the previously approved $600, the progressive Democrat reps proposed their own stand-alone bill on Christmas Eve.

“It’s long overdue that Congress approves COVID-19 relief that actually meets the scale of this devastating crisis,” Jayapal said in a statement.

Pressley added that families “are struggling under the weight of this unprecedented crisis,” as she called for the standalone bill giving $2,000 checks to be passed.

The bill would give $2,000 to individuals, $4,000 to couples, and additional $600 per child.

Trump called proposed payments of $600 in the Congress-approved stimulus “ridiculously low.”

“I am asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600 to $2,000, or $4,000 for a couple,” Trump said in a video shared on Twitter.

“I’m also asking Congress to immediately get rid of the wasteful and unnecessary items from this legislation, and just send me a suitable bill.”

As Trump demanded more funding, President-elect Joe Biden – set to take office on January 20 – indicated he would support a third round of checks for Americans once he’s in office.