Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy rejected out-of-hand supporting a call for unanimous consent by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to increase the amount of direct payments to Americans from $600 to $2,000, as lame duck president Donald Trump, a Republican, demanded Tuesday, Politico reports.

The delay in passing a coronavirus relief bill also means additional funds will not be available for distribution of coronavirus vaccines and other assistance to medical centers treating patients.  It also will stop federal unemployment supplements and aid to small businesses.

In a “Dear Colleague” letter written by Pelosi and circulated to members of the House, the Speaker puts the ball squarely in McCarthy’s court:  “Just when you think you have seen it all, last night, the President said that he would possibly veto the bicameral agreement negotiated between Republicans and Democrats.  If the President truly wants to join us in $2,000 payments, he should call upon [House Minority Leader Kevin] McCarthy to agree to our Unanimous Consent request.”

McCarthy, however, told a conference call with the Republican caucus that he will not support the call for unanimous consent, reportedly calling it a “publicity stunt.”  McCarthy, however, said he would pull a publicity stunt of his own:  calling for unanimous consent to review the state, local and foreign aid in the Omnibus Spending Bill.