Marco Rubio backs $2,000 stimulus checks, calls for Congress to 'quickly pass legislation'
Viewpoint diverges from some Republican Senate colleagues
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio on Monday voiced support for $2,000 stimulus checks, diverging from some of his Republican Senate colleagues.
The House on Monday passed a measure in the $900 billion COVID-19 relief package that President Trump signed on Sunday night to give Americans making up to $75,000 direct payments of $2,000 – rather than an initial proposal of $600 – but it is unclear whether the Senate will vote to do the same.
"I agree with the [p]resident that millions of working-class families are in dire need of additional relief, which is why I support $2,000 in direct payments to Americans struggling due to the pandemic," Rubio said in a Monday statement.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Rubio went on to blame Democrats for rejecting Republican attempts to "pass additional relief for workers, families, and small businesses...at every turn."
BERNIE SANDERS, SENATE DEMS SEE DEFENSE BILL VETO OVERRIDE AS AVENUE TO $2G CHECKS
"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.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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."
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., arrives for a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing in Washington, May 5, 2020. (Andrew Harnik/Pool via REUTERS)
It is now up to the Senate to vote on the measure that Trump has been pushing for since last week, though Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has not publicly stated how he plans to address the issue.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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.
Section 230 offers liability protections to websites that allow third-party users to post content on their platforms.
"I also stand ready to work with my colleagues to make much-needed changes to Section 230 and take steps to ensure the American people can once again have confidence in our elections," Rubio said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}WHEN CAN ELIGIBLE AMERICANS EXPECT TO SEE CHECKS?
President Trump last week vetoed the $740 billion National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 after warning he would do so if it didn’t repeal Section 230. The House on Monday voted to override the veto.