McConnell thwarts hopes of higher relief payments, as eyes turn to Georgia | First Thing

Mitch McConnell said attempts to increase relief checks to $2,000 had no realistic path' forward, as Democrats prepare to bring out the big guns in Georgia. Plus, police were warned the Nashville bomber was making explosives

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Good morning.

Donald Trump's calls for $2,000 relief checks for Americans were largely put to bed yesterday when the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, said the proposal had no realistic path" forward. The initial stimulus payment in Congress's coronavirus aid package was $600, but Trump threatened to reject the package if the sum was not more than tripled - despite the fact it had been capped by his own party. Unusually, Trump's stance garnered widespread support from Democrats, who attempted to push through the higher figure, but McConnell said he would not be bullied" by Democrats into approving the move.