McConnell blocks bid to immediately raise COVID-19 relief cheques from $600 to $2,000

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday blocked a bid by Democrats to hold a vote to boost COVID-19 relief cheques from US$600 to US$2,000, despite President Donald Trump having urged Congress to do so when he signed a stimulus bill on Sunday. McConnell also urged members of both parties to override the veto by Trump of the National Defense Authorization Act.

• Trump’s $2,000 coronavirus relief cheques stall as Republicans block vote in Senate