Sen. Klobuchar breaks with Democrats, opposes Trump’s call for $2,000 relief checks to every American

The bill, which was to provide a $600 check to every American, has been widely criticized by many Democrats as too small. Trump agreed with his colleagues across the aisle, suggesting that Americans should instead be receiving $2,000 checks, or $4,000 if they are a couple.

Trump further described the bill as "a disgrace."

The bill has been criticized for providing funding to a variety of causes supported by special interest groups, including hundreds of billions of dollars in foreign aid initiatives ranging from building border walls in the Middle East to recruiting more women in the Afghan military. Trump also criticized the bill for providing support to a number of arts initiatives in museums in the United States which are not currently available to the American public due to the pandemic.

"Despite all of this wasteful spending and much more, the $900 billion package provides hardworking taxpayers with only $600 each in relief payments and not enough money is given to small businesses," Trump complained. "And in particular, restaurants whose owners have suffered so grievously. They were only given a deduction for others to use in business, their restaurants, for two years."

"Democrats were pushing for more funds for the individual payments, but in the end this was a negotiation and he knows very well we're reaching the end here with the unemployment, with our small businesses can't take it anymore," Klobuchar said. "There is over $300 billion to help small businesses in this bill."

Klobuchar also argued that Congress has the votes to override Trump's veto, although the President never said that he intended to veto the bill.

"He is literally trying to burn this country down on his way out," Klobuchar alleged.

By opposing greater relief, Klobuchar broke with some other prominent Democrats in Congress. Both House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and progressive firebrand Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have announced their support for the President's proposal. Ocasio-Cortez in particular called upon her colleagues in Congress to support the larger stimulus checks.