McConnell blocks Democrats' bid for quick approval of $2,000 stimulus checks Follow Us Question of the Day In this Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020, photo, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky, speaks during a news conference with other Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill in Washington, while Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyoming, listens at left. (Nicholas Kamm/Pool Photo via ... more > Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked Democrats’ attempt Tuesday to more than triple COVID-19 relief checks to $2,000, and moved to link any increase — which has the backing of President Trump — with a repeal of liability protections for Big Tech, leading Democrats to delay action on a major defense bill.