newsweek--2020-12-22--Lawmakers Given Just Hours to Study 5,593-Page Stimulus Bill Say Deal Passed Too Fast

Lawmakers were only given a few hours to scrutinize the 5,593-page COVID-19 stimulus bill passed by Congress on Monday night , sparking complaints from Republicans and Democrats who voted for and against the second relief package .
The text of the bill was released at about 2 p.m .
ET on Monday afternoon and lawmakers in the House and Senate passed the legislation shortly before midnight the same day .
Reacting to the push to vote quickly on legislation packed with various stimulus measures—including direct payments , federal relief funds and tax deductions—several lawmakers said they did n't have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Members of Congress have not read this bill .
It 's over 5000 pages , arrived at 2pm today , and we are told to expect a vote on it in 2 hours , '' tweeted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-NY ) .
`` This is n't governance .
It 's hostage-taking . ''
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky also railed against the time lawmakers had been given , wrongly claiming that all Democrats had voted to scrap a rule giving representatives 72 hours to read the legislation .
Five Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later voted in favor of the relief—and Reps. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota .
Gabbard voted against the bill and released a video to explain her decision , saying : `` There is no way that anybody in Congress had the opportunity or the time to go through and read this bill to know exactly what was in it .
`` I 've been here long enough to see how provisions are snuck into these bills , literally in the dark of night , without any announcement , without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then rushed through in the manner that we have just seen . ''
House Republicans who voted against the bill raised similar complaints .
Rep. John Rose of Tennessee said in a statement : `` The House was forced to vote on a multi-trillion-dollar 5,600-page backroom deal that was given to members of Congress just hours before .
I refuse to reward bad behavior with a 'yes ' vote and that is especially true on a bill such as this that few people , most importantly my constituents , know what is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Davidson ( R-OH ) called on other representatives to vote no on the `` hastily prepared '' bill as he railed against `` broken '' processes on Capitol Hill .
After the bill passed , Rep. Andy Biggs ( R-AZ ) tweeted : `` After days of backroom negotiations & only a handful of hours to read the 6,000-page legislation , the House passed the omnibus & COVID-19 spending bill tonight .
Congress continues to fail the American people & bankrupt our grandchildren 's future . ''
Local television station CBS17 reported that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ralph Norman ( R-SC ) signed a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to veto the bill as they complained about the `` closed-door '' negotiations .
In the upper chamber , Sen. Ted Cruz ( R-TX ) tweeted that it was `` absurd '' to expect lawmakers to vote on a $ 900 billion stimulus bill `` nobody has had time to read , '' as he signaled a rare agreement with Ocasio-Cortez .
`` Legislation like this needs to be voted on , it needs to be understood at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Mike Lee of Utah added in a video statement .
`` Members need to have the chance to not only read it and understand it , but vet it with their constituents and offer up improvements . ''
The second COVID-19 relief bill—which provides $ 600 stimulus checks and federal rental assistance among several other bailout measures—passed both chambers by large majorities last night .
House lawmakers voted 359-53 in favor , with only two Democratic representatives defecting on the measures .
The Senate voted 92-6 in support of the relief as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party leadership .

Lawmakers were only given a few hours to scrutinize the 5,593-page COVID-19 stimulus bill passed by Congress on Monday night, sparking complaints from Republicans and Democrats who voted for and against the second relief package.
The text of the bill was released at about 2 p.m. ET on Monday afternoon and lawmakers in the House and Senate passed the legislation shortly before midnight the same day.
Reacting to the push to vote quickly on legislation packed with various stimulus measures—including direct payments, federal relief funds and tax deductions—several lawmakers said they didn't have the time to check the proposals properly.
"Members of Congress have not read this bill. It's over 5000 pages, arrived at 2pm today, and we are told to expect a vote on it in 2 hours," tweeted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). "This isn't governance. It's hostage-taking."
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky also railed against the time lawmakers had been given, wrongly claiming that all Democrats had voted to scrap a rule giving representatives 72 hours to read the legislation. Five Democrats opposed the last-minute rush, including Ocasio-Cortez—who later voted in favor of the relief—and Reps. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) said the rush to pass the second COVID-19 relief bill was akin to "hostage taking." Tom Williams-Pool/Getty Images
Gabbard voted against the bill and released a video to explain her decision, saying: "There is no way that anybody in Congress had the opportunity or the time to go through and read this bill to know exactly what was in it.
"I've been here long enough to see how provisions are snuck into these bills, literally in the dark of night, without any announcement, without telling anyone what is in it, and then rushed through in the manner that we have just seen."
House Republicans who voted against the bill raised similar complaints.
Rep. John Rose of Tennessee said in a statement: "The House was forced to vote on a multi-trillion-dollar 5,600-page backroom deal that was given to members of Congress just hours before. I refuse to reward bad behavior with a 'yes' vote and that is especially true on a bill such as this that few people, most importantly my constituents, know what is actually in it."
Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) called on other representatives to vote no on the "hastily prepared" bill as he railed against "broken" processes on Capitol Hill.
After the bill passed, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) tweeted: "After days of backroom negotiations & only a handful of hours to read the 6,000-page legislation, the House passed the omnibus & COVID-19 spending bill tonight. Congress continues to fail the American people & bankrupt our grandchildren's future."
Local television station CBS17 reported that Reps. Jody Hice (R-GA) and Ralph Norman (R-SC) signed a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to veto the bill as they complained about the "closed-door" negotiations.
In the upper chamber, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) tweeted that it was "absurd" to expect lawmakers to vote on a $900 billion stimulus bill "nobody has had time to read," as he signaled a rare agreement with Ocasio-Cortez.
"Legislation like this needs to be voted on, it needs to be understood at the time it's voted on," Sen. Mike Lee of Utah added in a video statement. "Members need to have the chance to not only read it and understand it, but vet it with their constituents and offer up improvements."
The second COVID-19 relief bill—which provides $600 stimulus checks and federal rental assistance among several other bailout measures—passed both chambers by large majorities last night.
House lawmakers voted 359-53 in favor, with only two Democratic representatives defecting on the measures. The Senate voted 92-6 in support of the relief as a handful of Republicans broke ranks with party leadership.


newsweek--2020-12-22--Woman Arrested After Missing Boyfriend's Body Found Buried in Backyard

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after her boyfriend 's remains were found buried in the backyard of his home in Denver , Colorado .
Kimberly Cottle , 45 , is accused of shooting and killing Eusivio Luevano , the Denver Police Department said in a news release on Monday .
Luevano was reported missing to Denver police on November 12 .
He had not been seen for several months , the police department said .
The 42-year-old man was last seen at his home in the 4700 block of North Fillmore Street in the Elyria-Swansea neighborhood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigators with the police department 's crime lab and the Denver medical examiner 's office identified Luevano 's remains after they were found buried in the backyard of his home on December 5 .
Preliminary evidence showed he had died from a gunshot wound , police said .
Investigators identified Cottle , who police said was Luevano 's girlfriend , as a suspect in the man 's murder and a warrant for her arrest was issued .
Cottle was taken into custody by local law enforcement near Reno , Nevada , on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of first-degree murder , tampering with a deceased body , identity theft , aggravated motor vehicle theft , theft , and unlawful use of a financial transaction device .
The arrest affidavit is sealed and not available for release , police said on Monday .
No additional information about what police believe led to Luevano 's killing was immediately released .
The Denver Police Department has been contacted for additional comment .
Anyone with information that can assist with the case is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP .
The Denver-based National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the weapon of choice in domestic violence homicides .
According to the nonprofit , one in three female murder victims are killed by intimate partners , while one in 20 male murder victims are killed by inmate partners .
Cottle 's arrest comes a few months after a woman in Florida was charged in her husband 's murder—more than two years after his remains were found buried under a fire pit in the backyard of her property .
Michael Shaver 's remains were uncovered in the backyard of his wife Laurie Shaver 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monorail mechanic had been missing since November 2015 .
Laurie Shaver was arrested in September and charged with second-degree murder and accessory after the fact to second-degree murder .

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after her boyfriend's remains were found buried in the backyard of his home in Denver, Colorado.
Kimberly Cottle, 45, is accused of shooting and killing Eusivio Luevano, the Denver Police Department said in a news release on Monday.
Luevano was reported missing to Denver police on November 12. He had not been seen for several months, the police department said.
The 42-year-old man was last seen at his home in the 4700 block of North Fillmore Street in the Elyria-Swansea neighborhood on August 1.
Denver police said investigators with the police department's crime lab and the Denver medical examiner's office identified Luevano's remains after they were found buried in the backyard of his home on December 5.
Stock photo. A woman has been arrested after allegedly killing her boyfriend and burying his body in his backyard. Getty
Preliminary evidence showed he had died from a gunshot wound, police said.
Investigators identified Cottle, who police said was Luevano's girlfriend, as a suspect in the man's murder and a warrant for her arrest was issued.
Cottle was taken into custody by local law enforcement near Reno, Nevada, on Thursday.
She is being held for investigation of first-degree murder, tampering with a deceased body, identity theft, aggravated motor vehicle theft, theft, and unlawful use of a financial transaction device. The arrest affidavit is sealed and not available for release, police said on Monday.
No additional information about what police believe led to Luevano's killing was immediately released. The Denver Police Department has been contacted for additional comment.
Anyone with information that can assist with the case is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP.
The Denver-based National Coalition Against Domestic Violence says firearms are the weapon of choice in domestic violence homicides.
According to the nonprofit, one in three female murder victims are killed by intimate partners, while one in 20 male murder victims are killed by inmate partners.
Cottle's arrest comes a few months after a woman in Florida was charged in her husband's murder—more than two years after his remains were found buried under a fire pit in the backyard of her property.
Michael Shaver's remains were uncovered in the backyard of his wife Laurie Shaver's home in Clermont in 2018. The monorail mechanic had been missing since November 2015.
Laurie Shaver was arrested in September and charged with second-degree murder and accessory after the fact to second-degree murder.


newsweek--2020-12-22--2020 NFL Playoffs Bracket: Updated AFC, NFC Standings and Picture After Week 15

With two weeks left in the NFL regular season , eight playoff berths remain up for grabs .
The Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers remain top of the AFC and the NFC respectively , while the Buffalo Bills overtook the Pittsburgh Steelers in second place in the AFC standings and the Seattle Seahawks regained third spot in the NFC .
The New England Patriots , meanwhile , became the 11th team to be eliminated from playoff contention and will miss the postseason for the first time since 2008 .
Here 's what the playoff bracket looks like after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday 's 32-29 win in New Orleans over the Saints , the reigning Super Bowl champions have all but guaranteed themselves home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and the AFC 's solitary bye .
With back-to-back home games against the Atlanta Falcons and the Los Angeles Chargers still to come , the Chiefs should finish 15-1 this campaign and the road to the Super Bowl in the AFC will again go through Kansas City .
The Bills clinched a first AFC East title since 1995 and moved up to second in the AFC standing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football .
The Bills hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Steelers and have an easier remaining schedule than Pittsburgh , with a trip to New England in Week 16 before a home game against the Miami Dolphins in the regular-season finale .
After a blistering 11-0 start to the season , Pittsburgh 's season looks in danger of unraveling at the worst possible moment .
The Steelers ' 27-17 loss in Cincinnati was their third straight and dropped them into the third seed slot in the AFC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second-hardest remaining schedule in the NFL with a home game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday , ahead of a potentially crucial trip to Cleveland in Week 17 .
Tennessee is all but guaranteed a playoff spot—FiveThirtyEight has its chances at 98 percent—following a 46-25 shellacking of the Detroit Lions on Sunday , but the race for the AFC South remains too close to call .
The Titans lead the division over the Indianapolis Colts only by virtue of a better record against divisional opponents , but they have a harder remaining schedule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games against the Packers and the Houston Texans .
The Browns ' 24-6 win over the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football ensured their first double-digit wins season since 2007 and put Cleveland on the brink of a first playoff appearance in 18 years .
Following Pittsburgh 's defeat in Cincinnati , the Browns can set their sights even higher as they welcome their AFC North rivals in Week 17 , a game that could effectively serve as the decider for the divisional title .
Before that , however , they must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Jets in New Jersey on Sunday .
Indianapolis ' lucky escape against Houston kept it in the race for the AFC South title and strengthened its gap on a wildcard berth .
The Colts only trail the Titans in the AFC South by virtue of having a worse record against divisional opponents , but have an easier remaining schedule than the Titans—with a trip to Pittsburgh followed by a home game against the hapless Jacksonville Jaguars .
Miami 's win over New England simultaneously vaulted the Dolphins back in the playoffs picture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At 9-5 , Miami holds the tiebreaker over the Baltimore Ravens by virtue of having a better record against conference opponents , but has a far harder remaining schedule than Baltimore , with back-to-back trips to Las Vegas and Buffalo .
FiveThirtyEight gives the Dolphins a 31 percent chance of making the playoffs , while the Ravens ' chances stand at 86 percent .
The Packers were n't particularly impressive in their 24-16 win over the Carolina Panthers , but coupled with the Saints ' defeat against the Chiefs it was enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race for the No .
1 seed in the NFC .
Crucially , Green Bay holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over New Orleans and FiveThirtyEight gives it a 79 percent chance to secure a first-round bye .
Drew Brees ' return on Sunday was n't enough to prevent the Saints from losing a second consecutive game and dropping further behind the Packers in the race for the No .
1 seed in the NFC .
New Orleans holds the tiebreaker over the third-placed Seattle Seahawks and has an easier remaining schedule , with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christmas Day followed by a trip to Carolina in Week 17 .
Seattle clinched a playoff spot with a 20-15 win over the Washington Football Team on Sunday and returned to the top of the NFC West courtesy of the Los Angeles Rams ' shock home loss against the Jets .
The Seahawks welcome their divisional rival at Lumen Field on Sunday and would clinch a first NFC West title since 2016 with a win .
Despite the loss against Seattle , Washington remains top of the NFC East with a one-game margin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Washington remains the overwhelming favorite to win the division , with FiveThirtyEight giving them a 75 percent chance of securing a first playoff appearance since 2015 .
Crucially , the Football Team has the second-easiest remaining schedule in the NFL , with a home game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday followed by a trip to Philadelphia in Week 17 .
The Rams shot themselves in the foot with a dismal home loss against the 0-13 Jets on Sunday , falling behind the Seahawks in the NFC West and all the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Rams ' remaining games are both on the road against divisional rivals—Seattle in Week 16 , Arizona in Week 17—and while they 're almost assured a playoff spot—FiveThirtyEight gives them a 98 percent chance to secure a postseason berth—winning the NFC West may prove difficult .
Tom Brady 's fourth career comeback after trailing by at least 17 points at halftime ensured the Bucs improved to 9-5 on Sunday , tightening their grasp on a wildcard berth .
Currently the sixth seed in the NFC , Tampa Bay has an easy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a home game against Atlanta .
The Bucs trail the Saints by just a game in the NFC South , but New Orleans holds the tiebreak after sweeping their divisional rivals this season .
Similarly , the Rams have the tiebreaker over the Bucs in the race for the fifth seed .
The Cardinals remained in control of the seventh and last playoff spot in the NFC with a 33-26 win over the Eagles and have a one-game margin over the Chicago Bears , who are currently the first team outside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against two NFC West rivals , with a home game against the San Francisco 49ers followed by a trip to Los Angeles to play the Rams and will secure a postseason berth for the first time since 2015 if it wins out .

With two weeks left in the NFL regular season, eight playoff berths remain up for grabs. The Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers remain top of the AFC and the NFC respectively, while the Buffalo Bills overtook the Pittsburgh Steelers in second place in the AFC standings and the Seattle Seahawks regained third spot in the NFC.
The New England Patriots, meanwhile, became the 11th team to be eliminated from playoff contention and will miss the postseason for the first time since 2008.
Here's what the playoff bracket looks like after 15 weeks of the season.
AFC
Kansas City Chiefs (13-1)
With Sunday's 32-29 win in New Orleans over the Saints, the reigning Super Bowl champions have all but guaranteed themselves home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and the AFC's solitary bye. With back-to-back home games against the Atlanta Falcons and the Los Angeles Chargers still to come, the Chiefs should finish 15-1 this campaign and the road to the Super Bowl in the AFC will again go through Kansas City.
Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs signals for a two-point conversion against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter in the game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 20 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Chiefs won 32-29 to improve to 13-1. Chris Graythen/Getty
Buffalo Bills (11-3)
The Bills clinched a first AFC East title since 1995 and moved up to second in the AFC standing after the Pittsburgh Steelers were stunned by the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football. The Bills hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Steelers and have an easier remaining schedule than Pittsburgh, with a trip to New England in Week 16 before a home game against the Miami Dolphins in the regular-season finale.
Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3)
After a blistering 11-0 start to the season, Pittsburgh's season looks in danger of unraveling at the worst possible moment. The Steelers' 27-17 loss in Cincinnati was their third straight and dropped them into the third seed slot in the AFC behind the Bills.
Pittsburgh has the second-hardest remaining schedule in the NFL with a home game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, ahead of a potentially crucial trip to Cleveland in Week 17.
Tennessee Titans (10-4)
Tennessee is all but guaranteed a playoff spot—FiveThirtyEight has its chances at 98 percent—following a 46-25 shellacking of the Detroit Lions on Sunday, but the race for the AFC South remains too close to call.
The Titans lead the division over the Indianapolis Colts only by virtue of a better record against divisional opponents, but they have a harder remaining schedule than their rivals, with back-to-back road games against the Packers and the Houston Texans.
Cleveland Browns (10-4)
The Browns' 24-6 win over the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football ensured their first double-digit wins season since 2007 and put Cleveland on the brink of a first playoff appearance in 18 years.
Following Pittsburgh's defeat in Cincinnati, the Browns can set their sights even higher as they welcome their AFC North rivals in Week 17, a game that could effectively serve as the decider for the divisional title. Before that, however, they must take care of business against the New York Jets in New Jersey on Sunday.
Indianapolis Colts (10-4)
Indianapolis' lucky escape against Houston kept it in the race for the AFC South title and strengthened its gap on a wildcard berth.
The Colts only trail the Titans in the AFC South by virtue of having a worse record against divisional opponents, but have an easier remaining schedule than the Titans—with a trip to Pittsburgh followed by a home game against the hapless Jacksonville Jaguars.
Miami Dolphins (9-5)
Miami's win over New England simultaneously vaulted the Dolphins back in the playoffs picture and eliminated the Patriots from postseason contention. At 9-5, Miami holds the tiebreaker over the Baltimore Ravens by virtue of having a better record against conference opponents, but has a far harder remaining schedule than Baltimore, with back-to-back trips to Las Vegas and Buffalo. FiveThirtyEight gives the Dolphins a 31 percent chance of making the playoffs, while the Ravens' chances stand at 86 percent.
NFC
Green Bay Packers (11-3)
The Packers weren't particularly impressive in their 24-16 win over the Carolina Panthers, but coupled with the Saints' defeat against the Chiefs it was enough to open a one-game gap in the race for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Crucially, Green Bay holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over New Orleans and FiveThirtyEight gives it a 79 percent chance to secure a first-round bye.
New Orleans Saints (10-4)
Drew Brees' return on Sunday wasn't enough to prevent the Saints from losing a second consecutive game and dropping further behind the Packers in the race for the No. 1 seed in the NFC. New Orleans holds the tiebreaker over the third-placed Seattle Seahawks and has an easier remaining schedule, with a home game against the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Day followed by a trip to Carolina in Week 17.
Seattle Seahawks (10-4)
Seattle clinched a playoff spot with a 20-15 win over the Washington Football Team on Sunday and returned to the top of the NFC West courtesy of the Los Angeles Rams' shock home loss against the Jets. The Seahawks welcome their divisional rival at Lumen Field on Sunday and would clinch a first NFC West title since 2016 with a win.
Tight end Jacob Hollister #86 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with quarterback Russell Wilson #3 after catching a first-half touchdown pass against the Washington Football Team at FedExField on December 20 in Landover, Maryland. Patrick Smith/Getty
Washington Football Team (6-8)
Despite the loss against Seattle, Washington remains top of the NFC East with a one-game margin over the Giants and the Dallas Cowboys. Washington remains the overwhelming favorite to win the division, with FiveThirtyEight giving them a 75 percent chance of securing a first playoff appearance since 2015. Crucially, the Football Team has the second-easiest remaining schedule in the NFL, with a home game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday followed by a trip to Philadelphia in Week 17.
Los Angeles Rams (9-5)
The Rams shot themselves in the foot with a dismal home loss against the 0-13 Jets on Sunday, falling behind the Seahawks in the NFC West and all the way down to fifth in the conference standings. The Rams' remaining games are both on the road against divisional rivals—Seattle in Week 16, Arizona in Week 17—and while they're almost assured a playoff spot—FiveThirtyEight gives them a 98 percent chance to secure a postseason berth—winning the NFC West may prove difficult.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-5)
Tom Brady's fourth career comeback after trailing by at least 17 points at halftime ensured the Bucs improved to 9-5 on Sunday, tightening their grasp on a wildcard berth. Currently the sixth seed in the NFC, Tampa Bay has an easy schedule with a trip to Detroit followed by a home game against Atlanta. The Bucs trail the Saints by just a game in the NFC South, but New Orleans holds the tiebreak after sweeping their divisional rivals this season. Similarly, the Rams have the tiebreaker over the Bucs in the race for the fifth seed.
Arizona Cardinals (8-6)
The Cardinals remained in control of the seventh and last playoff spot in the NFC with a 33-26 win over the Eagles and have a one-game margin over the Chicago Bears, who are currently the first team outside the playoff picture. Arizona finishes the season against two NFC West rivals, with a home game against the San Francisco 49ers followed by a trip to Los Angeles to play the Rams and will secure a postseason berth for the first time since 2015 if it wins out.


newsweek--2020-12-22--Trickle-Down Economics Doesn't Work but Build-up Does. Is Biden Listening? | Opinion

How should the huge financial costs of the pandemic be paid for , as well as the other deferred needs of society , after this annus horribilis ?
Politicians rarely want to raise taxes on the rich .
Joe Biden promised to do so , but a closely divided Congress is already balking .
That 's because they 've bought into one of the most dangerous of all economic ideas : that economic growth requires the rich to become even richer .
Rubbish .
Economist John Kenneth Galbraith once dubbed it the `` horse and sparrow '' theory : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some will pass through to the road for the sparrows . ''
We know it as trickle-down economics .
In a new study , David Hope of the London School of Economics and Julian Limberg of King 's College London lay waste to the theory .
They reviewed data over the last half-century in advanced economies and found that tax cuts for the rich widened inequality without having any significant effect on either jobs or growth .
Nothing trickled down .
Meanwhile , the rich have become far richer .
Since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American billionaires have gained $ 1 trillion of wealth .
With this windfall , they could theoretically send a $ 3,000 check to every person in America and still be as rich as they were before the pandemic .
Stock markets have been hitting record highs .
More initial public stock offerings have been launched this year than in over two decades .
A wave of high-tech IPOs has delivered windfalls of money to Silicon Valley investors , founders and employees .
Oh , and tax rates are historically low .
Yet at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million Americans are jobless , eight million have fallen into poverty , 19 million are at risk of eviction and 26 million are going hungry .
Mainstream economists are already talking about a `` K-shaped '' recovery—the better-off reaping most gains while the bottom half continue to slide .
You do n't need a doctorate in ethical philosophy to think that now might be a good time to tax and redistribute some of the top 's riches to those hard-hit below .
The U.K. is already considering an emergency tax on wealth .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ but maybe he should be even more ambitious and seek to change economic thinking altogether .
The practical alternative to trickle-down economics might be called build-up economics .
Not only should the rich pay for today 's devastating crisis , but they should also invest in the public 's long-term well-being .
The rich themselves would benefit from doing so , as would everyone else .
At one time , America 's major political parties were on the way to embodying these two theories .
Speaking to the Democratic National Convention in 1896 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` There are two ideas of government .
There are those who believe that , if you will only legislate to make the well-to-do prosperous , their prosperity will leak through on those below .
The Democratic idea , however , has been that if you legislate to make the masses prosperous , their prosperity will find its way up through every class which rests upon them . ''
Build-up economics reached its zenith in the decades after the Second World War , when the richest Americans paid a marginal income tax rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That revenue helped fund massive investment in infrastructure , education , health and basic research—creating the largest and most productive middle class the world had ever seen .
But starting in the 1980s , America retreated from public investment .
The result is crumbling infrastructure , inadequate schools , wildly dysfunctional health care and public health systems , and a shrinking core of basic research .
Productivity has plummeted .
Yet we know public investment pays off .
Studies show an average return on infrastructure investment of $ 1.92 for every public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early childhood education of between 10 percent and 16 percent—with 80 percent of the benefits going to the general public .
The COVID vaccine reveals the importance of investments in public health , and the pandemic shows how any one person 's health affects everyone else 's .
Yet 37 million Americans still have no health insurance .
A study in the Lancet estimates Medicare-for-All would prevent 68,000 unnecessary deaths each year , while saving money .
If we do n't launch something as bold as a Green New Deal , we 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurricanes , wildfires , floods and rising sea levels .
The returns from these and other public investments are huge .
The costs of not making them are astronomical .
Trickle-down economics is a cruel hoax .
The benefits of build-up economics are real .
At this juncture , between a global pandemic and the promise of a post-pandemic world , and between the administrations of Trump and Biden , we would be well-served by changing the economic paradigm from trickle-down to build-up .
Robert B. Reich is an American political commentator , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the administrations of Presidents Gerald Ford , Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton .
Reich 's latest book , The System : Who Rigged It , How We Fix It , is out now .
The views expressed in this article are the writer 's own .

How should the huge financial costs of the pandemic be paid for, as well as the other deferred needs of society, after this annus horribilis?
Politicians rarely want to raise taxes on the rich. Joe Biden promised to do so, but a closely divided Congress is already balking.
That's because they've bought into one of the most dangerous of all economic ideas: that economic growth requires the rich to become even richer. Rubbish.
Economist John Kenneth Galbraith once dubbed it the "horse and sparrow" theory: "If you feed the horse enough oats, some will pass through to the road for the sparrows."
We know it as trickle-down economics.
In a new study, David Hope of the London School of Economics and Julian Limberg of King's College London lay waste to the theory. They reviewed data over the last half-century in advanced economies and found that tax cuts for the rich widened inequality without having any significant effect on either jobs or growth. Nothing trickled down.
Meanwhile, the rich have become far richer. Since the start of the pandemic, just 651 American billionaires have gained $1 trillion of wealth. With this windfall, they could theoretically send a $3,000 check to every person in America and still be as rich as they were before the pandemic.
Stock markets have been hitting record highs. More initial public stock offerings have been launched this year than in over two decades. A wave of high-tech IPOs has delivered windfalls of money to Silicon Valley investors, founders and employees.
Oh, and tax rates are historically low.
Yet at the same time, more than 20 million Americans are jobless, eight million have fallen into poverty, 19 million are at risk of eviction and 26 million are going hungry. Mainstream economists are already talking about a "K-shaped" recovery—the better-off reaping most gains while the bottom half continue to slide.
You don't need a doctorate in ethical philosophy to think that now might be a good time to tax and redistribute some of the top's riches to those hard-hit below. The U.K. is already considering an emergency tax on wealth.
Biden has rejected a wealth tax, but maybe he should be even more ambitious and seek to change economic thinking altogether.
The practical alternative to trickle-down economics might be called build-up economics. Not only should the rich pay for today's devastating crisis, but they should also invest in the public's long-term well-being. The rich themselves would benefit from doing so, as would everyone else.
President-elect Joe Biden Joshua Roberts/Getty Images
At one time, America's major political parties were on the way to embodying these two theories. Speaking to the Democratic National Convention in 1896, populist William Jennings Bryan noted: "There are two ideas of government. There are those who believe that, if you will only legislate to make the well-to-do prosperous, their prosperity will leak through on those below. The Democratic idea, however, has been that if you legislate to make the masses prosperous, their prosperity will find its way up through every class which rests upon them."
Build-up economics reached its zenith in the decades after the Second World War, when the richest Americans paid a marginal income tax rate of between 70 percent and 90 percent. That revenue helped fund massive investment in infrastructure, education, health and basic research—creating the largest and most productive middle class the world had ever seen.
But starting in the 1980s, America retreated from public investment. The result is crumbling infrastructure, inadequate schools, wildly dysfunctional health care and public health systems, and a shrinking core of basic research. Productivity has plummeted.
Yet we know public investment pays off. Studies show an average return on infrastructure investment of $1.92 for every public dollar invested, and a return on early childhood education of between 10 percent and 16 percent—with 80 percent of the benefits going to the general public.
The COVID vaccine reveals the importance of investments in public health, and the pandemic shows how any one person's health affects everyone else's. Yet 37 million Americans still have no health insurance. A study in the Lancet estimates Medicare-for-All would prevent 68,000 unnecessary deaths each year, while saving money.
If we don't launch something as bold as a Green New Deal, we'll spend trillions coping with ever more damaging hurricanes, wildfires, floods and rising sea levels.
The returns from these and other public investments are huge. The costs of not making them are astronomical.
Trickle-down economics is a cruel hoax. The benefits of build-up economics are real. At this juncture, between a global pandemic and the promise of a post-pandemic world, and between the administrations of Trump and Biden, we would be well-served by changing the economic paradigm from trickle-down to build-up.
Robert B. Reich is an American political commentator, professor and author. He served in the administrations of Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. Reich's latest book, The System: Who Rigged It, How We Fix It, is out now.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.


newsweek--2020-12-23--'Mischievous' Seal Pup Rescued After Being Found in a Warehouse, Then in a Ditch Days Later

An animal charity has recused a `` mischievous '' seal pup that was found among treadmills at a gym equipment warehouse in the U.K. , and then in a ditch a few days later .
Workers at the warehouse in the Welsh town of Llanelli , U.K. , spotted the grey seal pup beside the treadmills on December 11 .
They tried to rescue him by leading him outside to a nearby river .
But days later on December 13 , the pup was found in a ditch in the village of Llangennech around four miles away .
A train @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the year , and the seal is thought to have entered a chamber filled with oily water at the site before getting in the ditch .
Workers at the site called the RSPCA animal charity , who sent an inspector to collect the pup .
The seal , now named Bergamot , is being cared for by the charity until he is well enough to be released .
RSPCA inspector Leigh Summers , who rescued the seal , said in a statement : `` He was so skinny , was covered in diesel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` He is a pup but has been fully weaned—but he is desperately underweight for his age .
He must have been struggling for some time .
Summers said : `` Thank goodness he is now in our care—after he managed to get himself into two tricky predicaments in a matter of days !
After some rest , a clean up , and some tube feeds he started to get better—and I have to admit I have absolutely fallen in love with him—even after seeing so many seals this season .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mischievous one—we do n't know how he managed to get into the warehouse and then managed to visit the Llangennech construction site !
He was absolutely exhausted after his misadventures . ''
RSPCA animal rescuer Ellie West asked members of the public who find seals in unusual places not to move or chase them into water .
West said : `` Many well-meaning people think they are helping lone pups by moving them into the water—but nothing could be further from the truth .
They have usually headed there for a reason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of veterinary care or support . ''
People should also not move healthy-looking seals on beaches into the sea , as they are likely resting .
Seal pups who are alone should be watched from a distance for 24 hours , and the RSPCA called if their mother does not return or they seem injured or in distress .
Hillan said seals found by the RSPCA are given identification tags on their hind flippers .
`` We do get good feedback from sightings , '' she said .
`` even see some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young .
The scientific results we receive back up that seals that go on from rehabilitation with us survive in the wild . ''

An animal charity has recused a "mischievous" seal pup that was found among treadmills at a gym equipment warehouse in the U.K., and then in a ditch a few days later.
Workers at the warehouse in the Welsh town of Llanelli, U.K., spotted the grey seal pup beside the treadmills on December 11. They tried to rescue him by leading him outside to a nearby river.
But days later on December 13, the pup was found in a ditch in the village of Llangennech around four miles away. A train had derailed in the area earlier in the year, and the seal is thought to have entered a chamber filled with oily water at the site before getting in the ditch.
The seal pup rescued by the RSPCA in Wales, among gym equipment at a warehouse. RSPCA
Workers at the site called the RSPCA animal charity, who sent an inspector to collect the pup. The seal, now named Bergamot, is being cared for by the charity until he is well enough to be released.
RSPCA inspector Leigh Summers, who rescued the seal, said in a statement: "He was so skinny, was covered in diesel, and was very [sick].
"He is a pup but has been fully weaned—but he is desperately underweight for his age. He must have been struggling for some time.
Summers said: "Thank goodness he is now in our care—after he managed to get himself into two tricky predicaments in a matter of days! After some rest, a clean up, and some tube feeds he started to get better—and I have to admit I have absolutely fallen in love with him—even after seeing so many seals this season.
She went on: "He definitely is a mischievous one—we don't know how he managed to get into the warehouse and then managed to visit the Llangennech construction site! He was absolutely exhausted after his misadventures."
1 of 4
RSPCA animal rescuer Ellie West asked members of the public who find seals in unusual places not to move or chase them into water.
West said: "Many well-meaning people think they are helping lone pups by moving them into the water—but nothing could be further from the truth. They have usually headed there for a reason, and can be in desperate need of veterinary care or support."
People should also not move healthy-looking seals on beaches into the sea, as they are likely resting. Seal pups who are alone should be watched from a distance for 24 hours, and the RSPCA called if their mother does not return or they seem injured or in distress.
Hillan said seals found by the RSPCA are given identification tags on their hind flippers.
"We do get good feedback from sightings," she said. "even see some of the seals we release with their own young. The scientific results we receive back up that seals that go on from rehabilitation with us survive in the wild."


newsweek--2020-12-23--Everything Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Said About Archie's Time in U.S.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry 's first year outside the royal family has seen them launch a new life as producers—but there have been milestones for baby Archie too .
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have slipped a few updates about their son into video interviews they have done this year .
Among his big moments of 2021 , the toddler has learned to walk , run and been a part of two court cases .
Here are some of his major milestones .
Meghan and Harry moved to Los Angeles in March and it was not long before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. soil .
In May , the family celebrated his first birthday by releasing footage of Meghan reading him a favorite story , Duck !
Rabbit !
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal .
Meghan revealed his nickname , Arch , in the film while the birthday boy said `` da '' to Prince Harry , who was holding the camera .
The duchess introduced the video by saying : `` For Save With Stories we 're going to read Duck !
Rabbit !
Good job . ''
While Archie may have been largely oblivious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a court case against paparazzi picture agency Splash News .
A privacy case filed at the High Court in London lists a claimant in the case as `` Master Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor . ''
The lawsuit revolves around long lens photographs taken on Vancouver Island in January of Meghan carrying Archie in a baby sling .
Meghan and Harry launched separate legal action against another paparazzi agency , X17 , over drone images of baby Archie playing in the backyard of Tyler Perry 's Los Angeles mansion , where they stayed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July court filing read : `` The couple recently learned that someone is shopping photographs of their 14-month-old son , Archie , falsely claiming to have taken them on a 'recent ' public outing 'in Malibu . '
`` But Archie has not been in public , let alone in Malibu , since the family arrived here .
It is clear from a description of the photographs being shopped that they were taken of activities in the backyard of the residence , unbeknownst to the Plaintiffs . ''
The pictures were published in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` just about walking '' by the summer , royal biographer Katie Nicholl claimed in an interview with Entertainment Tonight in July .
She added : `` He 's a very happy little boy , he 's loving life in L.A. '' And by the fall , the toddler had finished the job and even managed to run .
In conversation with Taliban school shooting victim Malala Yousafzai , Prince Harry said in October : `` We were both there for [ Archie 's ] first steps .
His first run , his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Meghan added : `` In the absence of COVID , we would be traveling and working more . ''
While Archie is looking at an American upbringing in California , Harry revealed his desire to get him involved in one popular British sport during a video chat in August .
During a call for the Rugby Football League , he said : `` What I need is a few mini rugby balls that I can then get Archie involved with the game because at the moment it 's impossible to find any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit of space outside which we 're fortunate enough to have .
I need to get him playing some rugby league .
`` But I am just unbelievably fortunate and grateful to have outdoor space and see my son be able to be outside because I know so many people just have n't had that opportunity in the last five months . ''
Rolling Around on the Floor in Hysterics Prince Harry also shed light on the fun side of Archie 's U.S. childhood during a virtual meeting in his capacity as patron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` There 's a hell of a lot of positives that are happening at the same time and being able to have family time—so much family time—that you almost think , 'Do I feel guilty for having so much family time ? '
''You 've got to celebrate those moments where you are just on the floor rolling around in hysterics .
''Inevitably , half an hour later , maybe a day later , there 's going to be something that you have to deal with and there 's no way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's first year outside the royal family has seen them launch a new life as producers—but there have been milestones for baby Archie too.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have slipped a few updates about their son into video interviews they have done this year.
Among his big moments of 2021, the toddler has learned to walk, run and been a part of two court cases.
Here are some of his major milestones.
First Birthday
Meghan and Harry moved to Los Angeles in March and it was not long before Archie made his first video appearance from U.S. soil.
In May, the family celebrated his first birthday by releasing footage of Meghan reading him a favorite story, Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal.
Meghan revealed his nickname, Arch, in the film while the birthday boy said "da" to Prince Harry, who was holding the camera.
The duchess introduced the video by saying: "For Save With Stories we're going to read Duck! Rabbit! Good job."
Paparazzi Pictures
While Archie may have been largely oblivious, he is officially a named claimant in a court case against paparazzi picture agency Splash News.
A privacy case filed at the High Court in London lists a claimant in the case as "Master Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor."
The lawsuit revolves around long lens photographs taken on Vancouver Island in January of Meghan carrying Archie in a baby sling.
Read more All the Royal Family's COVID Gaffes, From Posh Dinners to Misjudged Jokes All the Royal Family's COVID Gaffes, From Posh Dinners to Misjudged Jokes
Meghan and Harry launched separate legal action against another paparazzi agency, X17, over drone images of baby Archie playing in the backyard of Tyler Perry's Los Angeles mansion, where they stayed on first moving to Los Angeles.
A July court filing read: "The couple recently learned that someone is shopping photographs of their 14-month-old son, Archie, falsely claiming to have taken them on a 'recent' public outing 'in Malibu.'
"But Archie has not been in public, let alone in Malibu, since the family arrived here. It is clear from a description of the photographs being shopped that they were taken of activities in the backyard of the residence, unbeknownst to the Plaintiffs."
The pictures were published in German magazine Bunte.
Learning to Walk
Baby Archie was "just about walking" by the summer, royal biographer Katie Nicholl claimed in an interview with Entertainment Tonight in July.
She added: "He's a very happy little boy, he's loving life in L.A."
And by the fall, the toddler had finished the job and even managed to run.
In conversation with Taliban school shooting victim Malala Yousafzai, Prince Harry said in October: "We were both there for [Archie's] first steps. His first run, his first fall, his first everything."
Meghan added: "In the absence of COVID, we would be traveling and working more."
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and their baby son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor meet Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation during their royal tour of South Africa on September 25, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. Toby Melville/Pool/Getty
A Very British Pastime
While Archie is looking at an American upbringing in California, Harry revealed his desire to get him involved in one popular British sport during a video chat in August.
During a call for the Rugby Football League, he said: "What I need is a few mini rugby balls that I can then get Archie involved with the game because at the moment it's impossible to find any.
"I've got a little bit of space outside which we're fortunate enough to have. I need to get him playing some rugby league.
"But I am just unbelievably fortunate and grateful to have outdoor space and see my son be able to be outside because I know so many people just haven't had that opportunity in the last five months."
Rolling Around on the Floor in Hysterics
Prince Harry also shed light on the fun side of Archie's U.S. childhood during a virtual meeting in his capacity as patron of charity WellChild in April.
He said: ''There's a hell of a lot of positives that are happening at the same time and being able to have family time—so much family time—that you almost think, 'Do I feel guilty for having so much family time?'
''You've got to celebrate those moments where you are just on the floor rolling around in hysterics.
''Inevitably, half an hour later, maybe a day later, there's going to be something that you have to deal with and there's no way you can run away from it.''


newsweek--2020-12-23--'Good Riddance': China Chides Departing German Envoy Over U.N. Remarks

China 's envoy to the U.N. defended Beijing 's human rights record on Tuesday and bid his German counterpart `` good riddance '' after the retiring diplomat called for the release of two Canadians being held by the Chinese government .
Geng Shuang , China 's deputy representative , accused Germany 's Christoph Heusgen of launching `` malicious attacks '' during the year 's final meeting of the U.N. 's 15-member Security Council .
`` I wish to say out of the bottom of my heart : Good riddance , Ambassador Heusgen , '' Geng said .
His comments followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to release Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor , a diplomat and a businessman , respectively , who were arrested in December 2018 and accused of espionage .
Their continued detention is widely regarded as retaliation for the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou , who , at the request of the U.S. , was detained on fraud charges by Canadian authorities days earlier .
`` While the Chinese executive spends her time in a seven-bedroom mansion in Vancouver , Michael Kovrig has been confined to an isolated small cell in Beijing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to retire after 40 years as a diplomat when Germany completes a two-year term on the Security Council at the end of this month .
`` This Council will lose its legitimacy if it ceases to be concerned about the fate of individuals , about their protection and security , their human rights and their freedoms , their well-being and their aspirations , '' the ambassador argued .
He added : `` Therefore , let me end my tenure in the Security Council by appealing to my Chinese colleagues to ask Beijing for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spavor . ''
`` Christmas is the right moment for such a gesture , '' he said .
Geng , China 's deputy envoy , accused Heusgen of straying from the Security Council 's agreed agenda to discuss Iran and nonproliferation .
`` In his last remarks , he launched malicious attacks against other Council members , '' Geng said .
`` He abused the platform of the Security Council in an attempt to poison the working atmosphere of the Council . ''
He added : `` Now , I wish to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Good riddance , Ambassador Heusgen .
`` I hope that the Council , in your absence in 2021 , will be in a better position to fulfill the responsibilities and mandate for maintaining international peace and security . ''
In October , before the U.N. General Assembly Third Committee for human rights , Heusgen led a joint statement by 39 countries expressing `` grave concerns '' about alleged human rights abuses in China 's northwestern region of Xinjiang , where more than a million Uighur Muslims are thought to be detained in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement on behalf of signatories , including the U.S. and U.K. , called on China to `` respect human rights ... especially in Xinjiang and Tibet . ''
He asked Beijing to allow independent U.N. observers into the region , before calling on China to `` uphold autonomy , rights and freedoms in Hong Kong , and to respect the independence of the Hong Kong judiciary . ''
Heusgen 's address then was rebuffed by China and a series of joint statements by nearly 70 nations , including Russia , Cuba and North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to implement internal policies .
China , along with Russia , was elected to the U.N. Human Rights Council a week later .

China's envoy to the U.N. defended Beijing's human rights record on Tuesday and bid his German counterpart "good riddance" after the retiring diplomat called for the release of two Canadians being held by the Chinese government.
Geng Shuang, China's deputy representative, accused Germany's Christoph Heusgen of launching "malicious attacks" during the year's final meeting of the U.N.'s 15-member Security Council.
"I wish to say out of the bottom of my heart: Good riddance, Ambassador Heusgen," Geng said. His comments followed Heusgen, 65, calling on Beijing to release Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, a diplomat and a businessman, respectively, who were arrested in December 2018 and accused of espionage.
Their continued detention is widely regarded as retaliation for the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, who, at the request of the U.S., was detained on fraud charges by Canadian authorities days earlier.
"While the Chinese executive spends her time in a seven-bedroom mansion in Vancouver, Michael Kovrig has been confined to an isolated small cell in Beijing," said Heusgen, who is set to retire after 40 years as a diplomat when Germany completes a two-year term on the Security Council at the end of this month.
"This Council will lose its legitimacy if it ceases to be concerned about the fate of individuals, about their protection and security, their human rights and their freedoms, their well-being and their aspirations," the ambassador argued.
He added: "Therefore, let me end my tenure in the Security Council by appealing to my Chinese colleagues to ask Beijing for the release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor."
"Christmas is the right moment for such a gesture," he said.
Geng, China's deputy envoy, accused Heusgen of straying from the Security Council's agreed agenda to discuss Iran and nonproliferation.
"In his last remarks, he launched malicious attacks against other Council members," Geng said. "He abused the platform of the Security Council in an attempt to poison the working atmosphere of the Council."
He added: "Now, I wish to say out of the bottom of my heart: Good riddance, Ambassador Heusgen.
"I hope that the Council, in your absence in 2021, will be in a better position to fulfill the responsibilities and mandate for maintaining international peace and security."
In October, before the U.N. General Assembly Third Committee for human rights, Heusgen led a joint statement by 39 countries expressing "grave concerns" about alleged human rights abuses in China's northwestern region of Xinjiang, where more than a million Uighur Muslims are thought to be detained in "political re-education" camps.
The statement on behalf of signatories, including the U.S. and U.K., called on China to "respect human rights... especially in Xinjiang and Tibet."
He asked Beijing to allow independent U.N. observers into the region, before calling on China to "uphold autonomy, rights and freedoms in Hong Kong, and to respect the independence of the Hong Kong judiciary."
Heusgen's address then was rebuffed by China and a series of joint statements by nearly 70 nations, including Russia, Cuba and North Korea, who supported Beijing's independent right to implement internal policies.
China, along with Russia, was elected to the U.N. Human Rights Council a week later.


newsweek--2020-12-23--$2,000 Stimulus Check Latest Update as Trump, Democrats Urge Relief Bill Changes

President Donald Trump unexpectedly denounced the bipartisan COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress this week , demanding $ 2,000 stimulus checks that had been opposed by Republicans .
Trump called the $ 900 billion package `` a disgrace '' in a video posted online on Tuesday night and indicated that he may not sign the legislation .
He called for lawmakers to amend it to increase the economic impact payments allocated for most Americans from the `` ridiculously low '' sum of $ 600 to $ 2,000 for individuals and $ 4,000 for couples .
Democrats including House Speaker Nancy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar-sized payments that were resisted by Republican lawmakers , immediately welcomed the president 's intervention .
`` Republicans repeatedly refused to say what amount the President wanted for direct checks , '' Pelosi tweeted .
`` At last , the President has agreed to $ 2,000—Democrats are ready to bring this to the Floor this week by unanimous consent .
Let 's do it ! ''
An aide told The Associated Press that Pelosi would put the proposal forward for a vote on the issue Thursday .
Meanwhile , Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rashida Tlaib ( D-MI ) had the amendment Trump was asking for `` ready to go . ''
`` Let 's do it .
@ RashidaTlaib and I already co-wrote the COVID amendment for $ 2,000 checks , so it 's ready to go , '' Ocasio-Cortez wrote .
`` Glad to see the President is willing to support our legislation .
We can pass $ 2k checks this week if the Senate GOP agrees to stand down . ''
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also noted that Republicans had spent months blocking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called on the president to ensure his GOP allies do n't block it again .
`` We spent months trying to secure $ 2000 checks but Republicans blocked it , '' he tweeted .
`` Trump needs to sign the bill to help people and keep the government open and we 're glad to pass more aid Americans need .
Maybe Trump can finally make himself useful and get Republicans not to block it again . ''
In another tweet tagging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , Schumer urged him to support the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I 'm in .
Whaddya say , Mitch ?
Let 's not get bogged down with ideological offsets and unrelated items and just DO THIS !
The American people deserve it , '' he wrote .
Earlier this week , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin had said the $ 600 stimulus checks would be sent out at the beginning of next week after the deal on the COVID-19 relief package was reached .
A delay is likely if Trump vetoes the bill and there is not enough support in Congress to override @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers passed the COVID-19 relief bill on Monday by combining it with a larger $ 1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill to fund government operations for the coming fiscal year .
This included provisions for foreign aid and funding for institutions like the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Smithsonian .
But Trump characterized those as `` wasteful and unnecessary . ''
`` Congress found plenty of money for foreign countries , lobbyists and special interests while sending the bare minimum to the American people who need it , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I am asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $ 600 to $ 2,000 or $ 4,000 for a couple . ''
He called on Congress to `` send me a suitable bill or else the next administration will have to deliver a Covid relief package . ''
Although many lawmakers had complained that they did not have enough time to read the relief bill , Trump said that they overwhelmingly voted to pass the legislation and provide economic relief to those in dire need .
As well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill would establish a temporary $ 300 per week supplemental jobless benefit as well as additional funding for struggling businesses , schools and renters facing eviction .
President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday said the package is `` far from perfect , but it does provide vital relief at a critical moment . ''
`` We have our first hint and glimpse of bipartisanship , '' Biden said at a news conference in Wilmington , Delaware .
`` I applaud the Congress their economic relief package that included funding for vaccine distribution , much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and small businesses . ''
Biden also said a third round of stimulus checks would be needed after he takes office in January .

President Donald Trump unexpectedly denounced the bipartisan COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress this week, demanding $2,000 stimulus checks that had been opposed by Republicans.
Trump called the $900 billion package "a disgrace" in a video posted online on Tuesday night and indicated that he may not sign the legislation.
He called for lawmakers to amend it to increase the economic impact payments allocated for most Americans from the "ridiculously low" sum of $600 to $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for couples.
Democrats including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who had been pushing for similar-sized payments that were resisted by Republican lawmakers, immediately welcomed the president's intervention.
Republicans repeatedly refused to say what amount the President wanted for direct checks. At last, the President has agreed to $2,000 — Democrats are ready to bring this to the Floor this week by unanimous consent. Let’s do it! https://t.co/Th4sztrpLV — Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 23, 2020
"Republicans repeatedly refused to say what amount the President wanted for direct checks," Pelosi tweeted.
"At last, the President has agreed to $2,000—Democrats are ready to bring this to the Floor this week by unanimous consent. Let's do it!"
An aide told The Associated Press that Pelosi would put the proposal forward for a vote on the issue Thursday.
Meanwhile, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) tweeted that she and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) had the amendment Trump was asking for "ready to go."
"Let's do it. @RashidaTlaib and I already co-wrote the COVID amendment for $2,000 checks, so it's ready to go," Ocasio-Cortez wrote. "Glad to see the President is willing to support our legislation. We can pass $2k checks this week if the Senate GOP agrees to stand down."
Let’s do it. @RashidaTlaib and I already co-wrote the COVID amendment for $2,000 checks, so it’s ready to go.
Glad to see the President is willing to support our legislation.
We can pass $2k checks this week if the Senate GOP agrees to stand down. https://t.co/GprwrUPali pic.twitter.com/nFFs1ExqCK — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 23, 2020
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also noted that Republicans had spent months blocking Democrats' push for $2,000 checks—and called on the president to ensure his GOP allies don't block it again.
"We spent months trying to secure $2000 checks but Republicans blocked it," he tweeted. "Trump needs to sign the bill to help people and keep the government open and we're glad to pass more aid Americans need. Maybe Trump can finally make himself useful and get Republicans not to block it again."
We spent months trying to secure $2000 checks but Republicans blocked it
Trump needs to sign the bill to help people and keep the government open and we're glad to pass more aid Americans need
Maybe Trump can finally make himself useful and get Republicans not to block it again — Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) December 23, 2020
In another tweet tagging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Schumer urged him to support the amendment put forward by Ocasio-Cortez and Tlaib.
"I'm in. Whaddya say, Mitch? Let's not get bogged down with ideological offsets and unrelated items and just DO THIS! The American people deserve it," he wrote.
I’m in. Whaddya say, Mitch? Let’s not get bogged down with ideological offsets and unrelated items and just DO THIS! The American people deserve it. @senatemajldr https://t.co/L1b5rUkc7h — Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) December 23, 2020
Earlier this week, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin had said the $600 stimulus checks would be sent out at the beginning of next week after the deal on the COVID-19 relief package was reached. A delay is likely if Trump vetoes the bill and there is not enough support in Congress to override him.
After months of stalemate, lawmakers passed the COVID-19 relief bill on Monday by combining it with a larger $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill to fund government operations for the coming fiscal year. This included provisions for foreign aid and funding for institutions like the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Smithsonian.
But Trump characterized those as "wasteful and unnecessary."
"Congress found plenty of money for foreign countries, lobbyists and special interests while sending the bare minimum to the American people who need it," he said in a video posted on Twitter.
"I am asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600 to $2,000 or $4,000 for a couple."
He called on Congress to "send me a suitable bill or else the next administration will have to deliver a Covid relief package."
Although many lawmakers had complained that they did not have enough time to read the relief bill, Trump said that they overwhelmingly voted to pass the legislation and provide economic relief to those in dire need.
As well as $600 stimulus checks, the bill would establish a temporary $300 per week supplemental jobless benefit as well as additional funding for struggling businesses, schools and renters facing eviction.
President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday said the package is "far from perfect, but it does provide vital relief at a critical moment."
"We have our first hint and glimpse of bipartisanship," Biden said at a news conference in Wilmington, Delaware. "I applaud the Congress their economic relief package that included funding for vaccine distribution, much needed temporary relief for workers, families, and small businesses."
Biden also said a third round of stimulus checks would be needed after he takes office in January.


newsweek--2020-12-23--Why Are So Many Big Shows Leaving Netflix?

Netflix may have released more original series than ever in 2020 , but subscribers may have noticed that some of their favorite shows have left the service .
i , for example , left the U.S. version of the streamer back in January , with shows like That '70s Show and Parks and Recreation following it throughout the year .
In the coming weeks , some of Netflix 's biggest shows are set to leave .
Series like Gossip Girl and The West Wing exit in December , for example .
Then , in January , Netflix will lose The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming to an end in 2013 , still regularly features on the service 's daily top 10 charts—in November , for example , it was one of the 10 most-watched shows of the month .
To understand why Netflix is losing some of its biggest shows , you can look at where these shows are heading .
Friends went to HBO Max , Parks and Rec came to Peacock , which will also get The Office .
Once Upon a Time , meanwhile , moved from Netflix to Disney+ .
Notably , Disney+ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streaming within the last 13 months , and completely changed the streaming game , kicking off what has become known as the `` streaming wars . ''
Particularly , these streaming services all have one major difference from Netflix .
Netflix began life as a DVD rental service that surprised many by becoming a content juggernaut .
It only began making its only shows in 2013 .
HBO Max , meanwhile , is run by Warner Bros. , which started making what were then called `` pictures '' in 1923 .
Peacock is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operating as a TV network since 1939 , and Universal which is the U.S. 's oldest movie studio .
Disney , meanwhile , made their first feature film in 1937 .
As such , what these companies had which Netflix lacked was decades of shows and films that they had made and , crucially , owned the rights to .
When these companies did not have streaming services of their own , they were more than happy to generate revenue for their back catalogs by having Netflix pay to licence their movies and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own streamers , most of them have been taking their shows back in order to draw customers to their streaming services—customers they can get a regular , self-perpetuating stream of income from rather than a lump sum every few years when a streamer renews the contract to licence the content .
The reason why these shows have not all left Netflix at once is due to these contracts—they are all lapsing at different times depending on when the deals were made and for how long .
The phenomenon of shows leaving Netflix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because the so-called `` streaming wars '' have not really begun outside of the U.S .
Though Disney+ has had an international roll-out , HBO Max and Peacock are currently U.S.-only .
As such , a lot of big shows that have moved in America are still streaming on Netflix internationally .
The Office , for example , will return to Netflix U.K. in January 2021 .
The departure of That '70s Show , meanwhile , reveals another related aspect of why so many big shows are leaving Netflix .
With many more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are holding out for the best deal , which could explain why the streamer and production company could not make a deal to renew the licence .
And with so many streamers taking back shows the companies who owned them made , Netflix is taking another tack .
They are reportedly focusing more and more on original content , thinking presumably that they too would rather keep their profits for themselves rather than spending money buying content from rival companies .
This was seen to be the reason behind why the streamer canceled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago , despite series like Daredevil thought to be popular among subscribers .
What this means for the future of Netflix is that subscribers can expect more and more shows to leave the streamer as they focus on more and more original content—even if sometimes the streamer is accused of canceling these original shows way too soon .

Netflix may have released more original series than ever in 2020, but subscribers may have noticed that some of their favorite shows have left the service. i, for example, left the U.S. version of the streamer back in January, with shows like That '70s Show and Parks and Recreation following it throughout the year.
In the coming weeks, some of Netflix's biggest shows are set to leave. Series like Gossip Girl and The West Wing exit in December, for example. Then, in January, Netflix will lose The Office, a show that, despite coming to an end in 2013, still regularly features on the service's daily top 10 charts—in November, for example, it was one of the 10 most-watched shows of the month.
To understand why Netflix is losing some of its biggest shows, you can look at where these shows are heading. Friends went to HBO Max, Parks and Rec came to Peacock, which will also get The Office. Once Upon a Time, meanwhile, moved from Netflix to Disney+.
Notably, Disney+, Peacock and HBO Max all started streaming within the last 13 months, and completely changed the streaming game, kicking off what has become known as the "streaming wars."
'The Office' will become the latest show to leave Netflix in January 2021. NBC
Particularly, these streaming services all have one major difference from Netflix. Netflix began life as a DVD rental service that surprised many by becoming a content juggernaut. It only began making its only shows in 2013.
HBO Max, meanwhile, is run by Warner Bros., which started making what were then called "pictures" in 1923. Peacock is the property of NBCUniversal—NBC which has been operating as a TV network since 1939, and Universal which is the U.S.'s oldest movie studio. Disney, meanwhile, made their first feature film in 1937.
As such, what these companies had which Netflix lacked was decades of shows and films that they had made and, crucially, owned the rights to.
When these companies did not have streaming services of their own, they were more than happy to generate revenue for their back catalogs by having Netflix pay to licence their movies and shows. Now that they do have their own streamers, most of them have been taking their shows back in order to draw customers to their streaming services—customers they can get a regular, self-perpetuating stream of income from rather than a lump sum every few years when a streamer renews the contract to licence the content.
The reason why these shows have not all left Netflix at once is due to these contracts—they are all lapsing at different times depending on when the deals were made and for how long.
The phenomenon of shows leaving Netflix has been less pronounced in other countries because the so-called "streaming wars" have not really begun outside of the U.S. Though Disney+ has had an international roll-out, HBO Max and Peacock are currently U.S.-only. As such, a lot of big shows that have moved in America are still streaming on Netflix internationally. The Office, for example, will return to Netflix U.K. in January 2021.
The departure of That '70s Show, meanwhile, reveals another related aspect of why so many big shows are leaving Netflix. With many more rival streamers in play, production companies are holding out for the best deal, which could explain why the streamer and production company could not make a deal to renew the licence.
And with so many streamers taking back shows the companies who owned them made, Netflix is taking another tack. They are reportedly focusing more and more on original content, thinking presumably that they too would rather keep their profits for themselves rather than spending money buying content from rival companies. This was seen to be the reason behind why the streamer canceled all of their Marvel shows a few years ago, despite series like Daredevil thought to be popular among subscribers.
What this means for the future of Netflix is that subscribers can expect more and more shows to leave the streamer as they focus on more and more original content—even if sometimes the streamer is accused of canceling these original shows way too soon.


newsweek--2020-12-23--Minnesota Mayor Defends Whites-Only Church, Insists Town Isn't Racist

A mayor in Minnesota has defended the decision to allow a whites-only religious group to practice at a church , despite anger from locals and anti-racism campaigners .
Asatru Folk Assembly ( AFA ) bought the abandoned building in Murdock earlier this year .
It has now been granted permission to hold services there after successfully applying for the building to be rezoned from residential use to a place of worship .
AFA is listed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center .
It describes itself as a `` warrior '' religion of `` white people '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Anti-Defamation League ( ADL ) .
Murdock City Council has come under fire over the rezoning , but local leaders say they were legally obliged to permit the change of use .
Council members voted 4-1 on December 9 in favor of granting the permit .
Shortly before the decision was made , Mayor Craig Kavanagh has said the council `` condemn racism in all forms . ''
He has since defended the move .
`` Because we 've approved this permit , all of a sudden everyone feels this town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case , '' he told NBC News on Monday .
`` Just because we voted yes does n't mean we 're racist . ''
Campaigners have collected more than 120,000 signatures for a petition to stop AFA operating in the town of about 280 people .
Local residents have protested the group 's arrival and established a `` Murdock Area Alliance Against Hate '' Facebook group .
However , city attorney Don Wilcox said the town planning decision came down to freedom of religion , while calls for AFA not to practice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' issue .
`` I think there 's a great deal of sentiment in the town that they do n't want that group there , '' he said .
`` You ca n't just bar people from practicing whatever religion they want or saying anything they want as long as it does n't incite violence . ''
However Stephanie Hoff , who cast the only vote against the switch , said she thought the council `` had a chance to fight '' the approval .
`` I felt that we had a case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city of Murdock , '' she said .
Nearly 50 people—wearing masks and social distancing—attended a meeting to discuss the AFA 's planning request in October .
At that meeting , AFA board member Allen Turnage told the crowd non-whites would not be permitted at the church `` because they 're not of Northern European descent . ''
Turnage denies the group is white supremacist , telling NBC News after the decision to allow worship at the building : `` Just because we respect our own culture , that does n't mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The California-based religious group has about 500 members in the U.S. , according to Turnage .
AFA now hopes the Murdock church will become its Midwest base .

A mayor in Minnesota has defended the decision to allow a whites-only religious group to practice at a church, despite anger from locals and anti-racism campaigners.
Asatru Folk Assembly (AFA) bought the abandoned building in Murdock earlier this year. It has now been granted permission to hold services there after successfully applying for the building to be rezoned from residential use to a place of worship.
AFA is listed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. It describes itself as a "warrior" religion of "white people", and attracts white supremacists, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
Murdock City Council has come under fire over the rezoning, but local leaders say they were legally obliged to permit the change of use.
Council members voted 4-1 on December 9 in favor of granting the permit. Shortly before the decision was made, Mayor Craig Kavanagh has said the council "condemn racism in all forms." He has since defended the move.
"Because we've approved this permit, all of a sudden everyone feels this town is racist, and that isn't the case," he told NBC News on Monday. "Just because we voted yes doesn't mean we're racist."
A Google Street View image showing the church in Murdock in 2008. More than 120,000 signatures have been collected calling for AFA to not be allowed to use the building. Google Street View
Campaigners have collected more than 120,000 signatures for a petition to stop AFA operating in the town of about 280 people. Local residents have protested the group's arrival and established a "Murdock Area Alliance Against Hate" Facebook group.
However, city attorney Don Wilcox said the town planning decision came down to freedom of religion, while calls for AFA not to practice in the town were a "separate" issue.
"I think there's a great deal of sentiment in the town that they don't want that group there," he said. "You can't just bar people from practicing whatever religion they want or saying anything they want as long as it doesn't incite violence."
However Stephanie Hoff, who cast the only vote against the switch, said she thought the council "had a chance to fight" the approval.
"I felt that we had a case with the emotional and mental well-being of the city of Murdock," she said.
Nearly 50 people—wearing masks and social distancing—attended a meeting to discuss the AFA's planning request in October.
At that meeting, AFA board member Allen Turnage told the crowd non-whites would not be permitted at the church "because they're not of Northern European descent."
Turnage denies the group is white supremacist, telling NBC News after the decision to allow worship at the building: "Just because we respect our own culture, that doesn't mean we are denigrating someone else's."
The California-based religious group has about 500 members in the U.S., according to Turnage. AFA now hopes the Murdock church will become its Midwest base.


newsweek--2020-12-23--When Will Americans Receive Their Second Stimulus Check?

After months of delay , Congress approved a raft of coronavirus bailout measures earlier this week , including a long-awaited second round of stimulus checks , additional unemployment benefits and federal rent assistance .
The $ 600 stimulus checks provided in the stimulus package are worth half the $ 1,200 direct payments offered under the CARES Act in late March , and have been called an `` insult '' and insufficient by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle .
But , whatever their view on the size of the checks , Americans will be wondering when the direct payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly after the delivery of the first round of stimulus checks was marred by delay .
Speaking to CNBC on Monday , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said checks could be sent out within a matter of days—a shorter timeline than the distribution of checks in the spring .
`` People are going to see this money the beginning of next week .
So it 's very fast , '' Mnuchin told Squawk on the Street .
`` It 's money that gets recirculated in the economy , so people go out and spend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That helps getting more people back to work . ''
However , President Donald Trump threatened to veto the stimulus bill on Tuesday night as he demanded the inclusion of $ 2,000 individual checks , and called the proposed $ 600 checks a `` disgrace '' after the long delay to the package .
In a video statement , the commander-in-chief said : `` The bill they are now planning to send back to my desk is much different than anticipated .
It really is a disgrace . ''
A presidential veto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set back Mnuchin 's planned timeline for the delivery of the $ 600 stimulus checks if Congress is forced to vote on overriding the veto .
Trump could wait until Wednesday before deciding to sign or veto the bill—a move that would prevent checks from being sent out early next week as Mnuchin promised earlier this week .
Newsweek has contacted the Treasury Department for comment .
This article will be updated with any response .
Under the terms of the $ 900 billion stimulus package , January 15 is the deadline for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Wall Street Journal reports that anyone seeking direct relief after that date may have to wait receive it in their 2020 tax return .
The $ 600 stimulus checks have been a point of contention on Capitol Hill over the past few weeks , with several lawmakers arguing the relief payment will be too small for Americans who face unemployment , rent arrears and food poverty .
President-elect Joe Biden told reporters on Tuesday that he would push Congress to pass a third stimulus package with a third round of checks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After calling the latest deal `` far from perfect '' and a `` down payment '' on further relief , Biden said : `` Congress did its job this week .
And I can , and I must , ask them to do it again next year . ''

After months of delay, Congress approved a raft of coronavirus bailout measures earlier this week, including a long-awaited second round of stimulus checks, additional unemployment benefits and federal rent assistance.
The $600 stimulus checks provided in the stimulus package are worth half the $1,200 direct payments offered under the CARES Act in late March, and have been called an "insult" and insufficient by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
But, whatever their view on the size of the checks, Americans will be wondering when the direct payments will be deposited in their accounts, particularly after the delivery of the first round of stimulus checks was marred by delay.
Speaking to CNBC on Monday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said checks could be sent out within a matter of days—a shorter timeline than the distribution of checks in the spring.
"People are going to see this money the beginning of next week. So it's very fast," Mnuchin told Squawk on the Street. "It's money that gets recirculated in the economy, so people go out and spend this money and that helps small business. That helps getting more people back to work."
Treasury Sec. Steven Mnuchin said stimulus checks could be deposited early next week. Pool/Getty Images
However, President Donald Trump threatened to veto the stimulus bill on Tuesday night as he demanded the inclusion of $2,000 individual checks, and called the proposed $600 checks a "disgrace" after the long delay to the package.
In a video statement, the commander-in-chief said: "The bill they are now planning to send back to my desk is much different than anticipated. It really is a disgrace."
A presidential veto of the second coronavirus relief bill could set back Mnuchin's planned timeline for the delivery of the $600 stimulus checks if Congress is forced to vote on overriding the veto.
Trump could wait until Wednesday before deciding to sign or veto the bill—a move that would prevent checks from being sent out early next week as Mnuchin promised earlier this week.
Newsweek has contacted the Treasury Department for comment. This article will be updated with any response.
Under the terms of the $900 billion stimulus package, January 15 is the deadline for sending out the $600 relief checks. The Wall Street Journal reports that anyone seeking direct relief after that date may have to wait receive it in their 2020 tax return.
The $600 stimulus checks have been a point of contention on Capitol Hill over the past few weeks, with several lawmakers arguing the relief payment will be too small for Americans who face unemployment, rent arrears and food poverty.
President-elect Joe Biden told reporters on Tuesday that he would push Congress to pass a third stimulus package with a third round of checks after he is inaugurated on January 20.
After calling the latest deal "far from perfect" and a "down payment" on further relief, Biden said: "Congress did its job this week. And I can, and I must, ask them to do it again next year."


newsweek--2020-12-23--Ted Lieu Says Mnuchin 'Failed the American People' With Stimulus Bill

Representative Ted Lieu ( D-CA ) has accused U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin of misleading Congress during stimulus package negotiations about what President Donald Trump wanted for the deal .
Trump has branded the $ 900 billion package haggled over for months by both parties as a `` disgrace . ''
In a video , he said it should have gone further than the $ 600 in direct payments to eligible adults , and that $ 2,000 should have been offered instead .
Trump 's pledge for bigger checks has the backing of prominent figures on both sides of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senator Lindsey Graham .
In a Twitter thread , Lieu said that Trump 's unhappiness with the deal showed that Mnuchin was not even representing the president 's position during the bipartisan haggling that went on for several months , and that Trump should wield his veto .
On Tuesday , Lieu tweeted : `` Were you just making stuff up during the Covid relief negotiations ?
If you were n't speaking for @ realDonaldTrump , then who were you speaking for ? ''
`` Why did you oppose $ 2000 stimulus checks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Why were we even negotiating with you ? ''
he added .
Mnuchin was central to the legislation .
Between December 14 and December 20 , he took part in 190 calls about the package with Trump , Treasury staff members and congressional leaders .
When the deal was approved by Congress , Mnuchin praised Trump and its passage , telling CNBC it was a `` great birthday present for me . ''
But Lieu begged to differ , tagging Mnuchin in a follow-up tweet and saying : `` You failed the American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted $ 2000 stimulus checks .
You are not the President .
You can not substitute your own views . ''
`` Your job is to negotiate on behalf of @ POTUS , not mislead Congress about Trump 's views , '' he added .
With that tweet he shared New York Times article that said former administration officials believed Trump was reacting to the narrative that he had been sidelined from the negotiations and he was appealing to his base by calling for higher direct payments .
Trump should veto the bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a separate tweet which said : `` Do n't sign the Covid relief bill .
Veto it with the message that you will only sign a Covid relief bill with $ 2000 stimulus checks .
`` I guarantee you the House will then immediately pass a Covid relief bill with $ 2000 stimulus checks , '' he added .
Newsweek has contacted the Treasury for comment .

Representative Ted Lieu (D-CA) has accused U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin of misleading Congress during stimulus package negotiations about what President Donald Trump wanted for the deal.
Trump has branded the $900 billion package haggled over for months by both parties as a "disgrace." In a video, he said it should have gone further than the $600 in direct payments to eligible adults, and that $2,000 should have been offered instead.
Trump's pledge for bigger checks has the backing of prominent figures on both sides of the aisle, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Lindsey Graham.
In a Twitter thread, Lieu said that Trump's unhappiness with the deal showed that Mnuchin was not even representing the president's position during the bipartisan haggling that went on for several months, and that Trump should wield his veto.
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) on Capitol Hill December 9, 2019 in Washington, DC. He has criticized Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin over his negotiations for the stimulus deal. Doug Mills/Getty Images
On Tuesday, Lieu tweeted: "Were you just making stuff up during the Covid relief negotiations? If you weren't speaking for @realDonaldTrump, then who were you speaking for?"
"Why did you oppose $2000 stimulus checks if @POTUS was for it? Why were we even negotiating with you?" he added.
Mnuchin was central to the legislation. Between December 14 and December 20, he took part in 190 calls about the package with Trump, Treasury staff members and congressional leaders.
Dear Secretary @stevenmnuchin1: You failed the American people. You hid that @realDonaldTrump wanted $2000 stimulus checks. You are not the President. You cannot substitute your own views. Your job is to negotiate on behalf of @POTUS, not mislead Congress about Trump’s views. https://t.co/WeHw83ngGR — Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) December 23, 2020
Dear Secretary @stevenmnuchin1: Were you just making stuff up during the Covid relief negotiations? If you weren’t speaking for @realDonaldTrump, then who were you speaking for? Why did you oppose $2000 stimulus checks if @POTUS was for it? Why were we even negotiating with you? https://t.co/0ugR2E1lT3 — Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) December 23, 2020
When the deal was approved by Congress, Mnuchin praised Trump and its passage, telling CNBC it was a "great birthday present for me."
But Lieu begged to differ, tagging Mnuchin in a follow-up tweet and saying: "You failed the American people. You hid that @realDonaldTrump wanted $2000 stimulus checks. You are not the President. You cannot substitute your own views."
"Your job is to negotiate on behalf of @POTUS, not mislead Congress about Trump's views," he added.
With that tweet he shared New York Times article that said former administration officials believed Trump was reacting to the narrative that he had been sidelined from the negotiations and he was appealing to his base by calling for higher direct payments.
Trump should veto the bill, Lieu said, tagging the president in a separate tweet which said: "Don't sign the Covid relief bill. Veto it with the message that you will only sign a Covid relief bill with $2000 stimulus checks.
"I guarantee you the House will then immediately pass a Covid relief bill with $2000 stimulus checks," he added. Newsweek has contacted the Treasury for comment.