Senators spar over whether second $1,200 stimulus checks are necessary

Once again, Johnson objected to the move.The campaign for additional $1,200 checks prompted a fierce debate over whether those payments are necessary right now.Since the CARES Act was passed in March, more than $270 billion in stimulus checks has been sent to roughly 160 million people.Meanwhile, the financial suffering Americans are experiencing has continued, Hawley said.Now, some working people are forced to live in their cars and face situations where they cannot go to the doctor, pay their rent or feed their children, he said."It is no answer for this body to tell them, 'Go get on an unemployment line,'" Hawley said.Despite the fact that the Senate voted in favor of the legislation authorizing the first checks in the spring, there has been resistance to sending out a second round."Nothing could be more targeted, no relief could be more important, than relief for working people," Hawley said in response to Johnson's objection."Working people are told they may be last, if they get relief at all," Hawley said.