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Republicans block $2,000 virus checks despite Trump demand

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WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans have shot down a Democratic bid to pass President Donald Trump’s demand for $2,000 direct payments to most Americans.

The clash came as the Democratic-controlled chamber convened for a pro forma session Thursday scheduled in anticipation of a smooth Washington landing for the massive, year-end legislative package.

That package folds together a $1.4 trillion government-wide spending with the hard-fought COVID-19 package and dozens of unrelated but bipartisan bills.

If Trump were to follow through on his implied veto threat, the government would likely experience a brief, partial shutdown of the government starting on Dec. 29.