Senate GOP Rushes To Finish Defense Bill And Avoid Showdown On Relief Payments

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is attempting to avoid difficult political votes that could pit GOP Senators against President Trump.

Updated at 4:35 p.m. ET

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., says a measure that would increase direct payments to many Americans has “no realistic path to quickly pass the Senate.”

McConnell is moving ahead with a plan to avoid a public rift within the GOP over stimulus payments demanded by President Trump ahead of a critical runoff election in Georgia.