Trump’s Demand for $2K Checks Puts Georgia Senators Under Pressure

The spotlight is on Georgia’s Republican Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler after President Donald Trump called for raising direct payments from $600 to $2,000 in the COVID-19 stimulus package.

The Hill reported that the pressure is on both senators to support Trump.

The president has called the package a “disgrace.” The stimulus bill had passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. And Perdue and Loeffler had touted their support for the relief package, according to The Hill.

But now both their opponents in the Jan. 5 Senate runoffs have endorsed Trump’s call for more aid.

“I urged the United States Congress to pass additional direct stimulus payments of $2,000 to every American right now,” said Democrat Jon Ossoff, who is challenging Perdue.

And Loeffler’s challenger, Raphael Warnock, tweeted on Wednesday: “If @Kloeffler supports Trump 100% of the time, why won’t she support $2,000 relief checks?”

For her part, Loeffler said Wednesday she will consider supporting direct payments of $2,000 if money is repurposed from “wasteful spending” toward making that happen.

The Hill noted Perdue has not yet responded publicly to the president’s call for more relief aid. And his office did not respond to a request for comment.

Recent polls show both Perdue and Loeffler in tight races, The Hill noted.