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Washington (AP) - The incumbent US President Donald Trump's call for higher corona aid payments to citizens has triggered a violent political tussle - with unusual alliances.
Senate Republican majority leader Mitch McConnell blocked attempts by the Democrats to get a quick vote to increase direct aid and received harsh criticism from Trump.
If the Republicans had no “longing for death”, they would have to enable the $ 2,000 payments as soon as possible, the president wrote on Twitter.
The dispute ensures an unusual unity between the incumbent and the actually so hated Democrats - and brings additional fuel to the last few meters of the election campaign for runoff elections for two Senate seats in the US state of Georgia.
The elections next Tuesday will decide whether the Republicans will hold their majority in the powerful chamber and whether future President Joe Biden can put obstacles in the way of his plans.
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After months of wrangling, the US Congress passed an economic stimulus package worth around $ 900 billion a week ago to cushion the effects of the corona pandemic.
This also includes one-time aid payments of $ 600 for citizens with a certain maximum income.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced that the first payments could be made on Wednesday night.
After the congressional decision, Trump initially refused to sign the legislative package.
Among other things, he called for direct aid to be raised to $ 2,000.
On Sunday, Trump gave up his blockade and put the package into effect with his signature.
At the same time he renewed his wish for higher aid payments.
The Democrats immediately took up Trump's move.
The US House of Representatives - where the Democrats have a majority - voted for more direct aid on Monday.
Numerous Republicans also supported the popular plans.
In the Senate, in which the Republicans have a majority, several Republican senators have also signaled support for the project, including Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, who must defend their Senate seats in Georgia.
However, other Republicans have so far resisted a larger stimulus package, including with reference to budgetary discipline.
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A quick vote finally failed on Tuesday due to opposition from McConnell.
He put the Democrats off, saying the Senate would "begin a process" this week to look at the direct payments, along with two other presidential concerns.
He didn't give any more details.
The dispute over the aid payments also impacts the defense budget vote McConnell plans to hold this Wednesday.
The protest by independent Senator Bernie Sanders could delay the vote until the end of the week.
Trump had vetoed the massive legislative package.
It is expected that after the House of Representatives, the Senate will also override Trump's veto - which would be a first in his tenure and a bitter rebuff from the Republicans.
Sanders urged that the chamber must vote on an increase in aid payments as soon as possible.
The people in the country need support immediately, «not next year - now immediately».
Millions of Americans have lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic.
In the middle of winter, many families are at risk of being thrown out of their homes because of outstanding rent payments.
Mothers and fathers have problems giving their children enough food.
Thefts in supermarkets have increased because people are hungry.
And all of this happens in the most prosperous country in the world.
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The corona pandemic is still out of control in the US.
Biden promised the Americans at a performance in Wilmington, Delaware, that he would use his powers to expedite the manufacture of vaccines and protective equipment when he took office on January 20.
His government wanted to ensure that 100 million vaccinations were given in their first 100 days.
"If Congress provides the means, we could achieve this incredible goal," said Biden.
He accused the Trump administration of delaying their vaccination schedule.
According to the New York Times, more than 2.1 million people were vaccinated against the corona virus.
At the same time, Biden said that the US may face the toughest phase in the pandemic.
There have already been more than 330,000 deaths since the pandemic began - and before the situation improves, things will initially get worse.
"We have to be prepared for the fact that the infections over the holidays will lead to an increase in the number of cases in January and an increase in the number of deaths in February," said Biden.
The democrat also announced further members of his Corona «reaction force».
In no other country are there as many known corona infections and deaths as in the USA, where around 330 million people live.
On average, around 180,000 new infections were recorded every day in the last seven days.
In the US state of Colorado, the new coronavirus variant was detected in a young man on Tuesday, which was first discovered in Great Britain and which may be significantly more contagious than the previously known form.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 201230-99-847952 / 3