Conservatives Urge Donald Trump to Veto Stimulus Bill

President Donald Trump faced pressure to veto the second COVID-19 stimulus package and other government spending on Tuesday as conservative commentators claimed Americans were receiving less than foreign countries.

The relief package passed both chambers of Congress on Monday night by sizeable majorities, despite the fact several lawmakers complained that they had only been given a matter of hours to read the 5,593-page relief and spending bill before votes began.

Under the $900 billion stimulus measures, Americans will receive $600 stimulus checks and federal rental assistance, among other funds. Federal aid will also be offered to schools and small businesses.

Reacting to the passage of the second coronavirus relief bill, the conservative commentator Candace Owens tweeted: “Every American left and right should be calling for a #VETO of this stimulus ‘deal’—which provides MORE funding to foreign governments and to American arts centers, than to the American people.”

She then shared a misleading graphic that implied there was more funding for Israel and other foreign countries in the stimulus bill than for American citizens.

Conservative commentator Candace Owens called on Trump to veto the latest stimulus. Sameer Al-Doumy/AFP via Getty Images

The omnibus bill put before lawmakers on Monday didn’t only include the $900 billion stimulus deal. It also covered $1.4 trillion in regular government and defense spending, which includes foreign aid as standard.

The former Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos also called on his old boss to veto the “disastrous” stimulus bill as he railed against the size of the $600 direct checks on offer in the package.

“Congress has been given 6 hours to read a nearly 6,000-page spending bill,” conservative commentator Todd Starnes tweeted. “Veto the bill, Mr. President!”

The former Republican Senate candidate Lauren Witzke also called on the president to block the relief bill. “My grandchildren will NOT be paying off Corporate Congress’ foreign aid ‘stimulus’ package,” she tweeted. “#VETO!”

The calls for a veto from some conservatives in the wake of the stimulus vote came a week after 14 House Republicans wrote to President Trump requesting that he veto the omnibus spending bill as they raised concerns about U.S. debt.

“Our country will be better off if you veto this omnibus appropriations bill for fiscal year 2021,” the lawmakers wrote. “We will strongly support your efforts to demand better from the fiscally irresponsible Congressional leadership.”

Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment. This article will be updated with any response.

Speaking on the Senate floor on Monday night, Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he had worked out a deal with Democratic leadership to block a veto of the omnibus spending bill from President Trump.

“The Democratic leader and I have agreed to a unanimous consent request as follows: The Senate will meet for pro forma sessions only until December 29 when we will return to session,” he said. “In the event that the president has vetoed the bill, and the House has voted to override the veto, the Senate would have the opportunity to process the veto override at that time.”

The House voted 359-53 in favor of the second COVID-19 relief bill on Monday night as only two Democratic lawmakers dissented on the package.

Senate lawmakers voted 92-6 in support of the package. Republican Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Rand Paul of Kentucky were among those who voted against the bill.