US.

Lawmakers on Thursday blocked attempts toe alter a $2.3 trillion coronavirus eight and government spending package, rejecting President Donald Trump's demand for extensive changes and leaving benefits for millions of Americans at risk.

I am asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600.

House Democrats tried to boost the direct payments to Americans from $600 to $2000 acting on Trump's request.

But the president's fellow Republicans blocked that effort.

Republicans countered with emotion to change the amount of foreign eight included in the package, which Democrats blocked.

This is Christmas Eve.

Speaking to reporters after the House adjourned for the day, Democratic Majority Leader Steny Hoyer urged the president to sign the bill, as is, rather than leave millions of Americans in the lurch.

Surely the president of the United States, whether he's in March, a Lago or anyplace else auto, empathize with the pain and suffering and apprehension and deep angst that the American people are feeling this Christmas Eve and sign this bill, Trump said nothing to reporters as he and first lady Melania Trump set out for his March a Lago home on Wednesday and was seen golfing in Florida on Thursday.

If Trump does not sign the package into law, unemployment benefits for about 14 million Americans will lapse starting on Saturday, and new stimulus checks, which could go out as soon as next week, would be delayed.

The standoff between Trump and Congress also raises the prospect of a partial government shutdown at a time when officials were trying to distribute to coronavirus vaccines as government funding was also included in the bill.

Congress could keep operations running by passing 1/4 stopgap funding bill before midnight on Monday.

To successfully do that, lawmakers would need Trump's cooperation at a time when he's consumed by his bid to remain in office beyond January 20th.