Rubio Implores Biden to ‘Rise Above the Rhetoric’ and Send Americans $2,000 Direct Payments

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) is calling on President-elect Joe Biden to deliver a message of unity to Americans by sending them $2,000 direct payments.

In a letter obtained by Axios, Rubio called last week’s riots at the U.S. Capitol “one of the darkest days in our history” and wrote Americans are “desperate” for hope.

“It would send a powerful message to the American people if, on the first day of your presidency, you called on the House and Senate to send you legislation to increase the direct economic impact payments to Americans struggling due to the pandemic from $600 to $2,000,” Rubio said in the letter on Tuesday.

The senator noted he supported the move to increase the direct payments last month.

While Rubio signaled he would disagree with Biden’s administration throughout his presidency, he is willing to “advance critically important and effective policies on behalf of the people of this great nation.”

He concluded, “You have the ability to help break the paralysis in Washington by delivering desperately needed relief. I implore you to rise above the rhetoric and deliver an increase in assistance for American families.”

Biden told reporters last week, “We need more direct relief flowing to families, small businesses, including finishing the job of getting people that $2,000 relief direct payment. $600 is simply not enough.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) blocked an immediate vote on the $2,000 direct payments last month.

“The Senate is not going to be bullied into rushing out more borrowed money into the hands of Democrat rich friends who don’t need the help,” McConnell said during a speech on the Senate floor.

Trump urged Republicans last month to approve the increased payments, as IJR previously reported.

“Unless Republicans have a death wish, and it is also the right thing to do, they must approve the $2000 payments ASAP. $600 IS NOT ENOUGH!” Trump wrote on Twitter.