Democrats reject Trump coronavirus stimulus bill offering $600 relief checks for Americans

The bill, which included another series of relief checks for Americans amounting to $600 per person was rejected by the Democratic leaders on the basis that it offers an "unacceptable" reduction in unemployment insurance funding. Meanwhile, Americans are still waiting for relief.

"The President's proposal starts by cutting the unemployment insurance proposal being discussed by bipartisan members of the House and Senate from $180 billion to $40 billion," Pelosi and Schumer said in a joint statement. "That is unacceptable."

"While it is progress that [Republican Senate] Leader [Mitch] McConnell has signed off on a $916 billion offer that is based off of the bipartisan framework, the president’s proposal must not be allowed to obstruct the bipartisan congressional talks that are underway," the statement read.

Both Sen. McConnell, who is typically an opponent of financial stimulus, and Republican House Minority Leader McCarthy supported the plan, including the relief checks, after a discussion with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows.

Republican politicians have slammed Democrats for their opposition to President Donald Trump's coronavirus relief proposals, accusing them of putting politics over the wellbeing of Americans. Prior to the November Presidential election, Trump expressed support for a $1.8 trillion relief bill which was rejected by Democrats for being too small. Since the election, Democrats have pivoted to supporting a significantly smaller relief bill.

Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R-Tex.) took to the House floor on Wednesday to express his dismay with Democrats for playing politics, arguing that Nancy Pelosi said "the quiet part out loud." Crenshaw was referencing a recent answer that Pelosi offered when asked why she is now supporting a much smaller relief bill, simply answering with "new President."

Bipartisan talks have thus far produced a $908 billion coronavirus relief bill which includes $180 billion for unemployment insurance but does not include stimulus checks. The unemployment benefits would last 18 weeks and provide $300 per week in support for the unemployed.

The bill also includes $160 billion set aside for states and cities, $288 billion in financial support for small businesses, $182 billion for healthcare relief, $45 billion in financial bailouts for struggling transportation industries such as airlines, and $16 billion for coronavirus vaccine development.