McConnell trying to strategize a way to elegantly kill $2000 checks legislation that has supermajority support in the House, at least majority support in the Senate, and the support of the president.

Here's McConnell speaking now...

McConnell saying the Senate will set up a final vote for tomorrow on the veto override, but Sanders' gambit is to deny consent on that and delay passage of the override to Friday (New Year's Day)

So far McConnell just talking about the glories of the defense bill.

"On another matter..."

McConnell talking about passage of the COVID relief bill. Nothing about $2000 checks.

"During this process, President highlighted 3 issues of national significance..."
-$2000 checks
-review of Sec 230
-"exploring further ways to protect the sanctity of America's ballots."

"Those are the three priorities the President has linked together... this week we will start a process" to deal with that.
McConnell telegraphing that he's going to link checks and Sec 230 (and maybe voter fraud) on a side by side

Schumer objects to McConnell's attempt to move forward on legislation.
"The Senate... should not adjourn" until there are separate votes on both NDAA and the $2000 checks. "Leader McConnell holds the key to unlocking this dilemma"

Schumer asks for an "up or down vote" on $2000 checks as "the fastest way to get money into Americans' pockets."
(if McConnell allows a vote at all it'll be a 60-vote threshold)

Schumer with an old-time populist stemwinder here. "This issue has united Americans from coast to coast"

"There's one question left today: do Senate Republicans join with the rest of America in supporting $2000 checks," Schumer says, making a distinction between stating support and fighting for it

Schumer asks UC for consideration for $2000 checks bill. McConnell objects without comment.

Sanders steps in and objects to McConnell's original motion to proceed to votes on the NDAA override. Speaking now.

Sanders: "The House did the right thing and now it is time for the Senate to step up to the plate."

Sanders notes the increase in food insecurity and grocery-store shoplifting, as the historically uneven recovery doesn't catch millions of Americans.

Sanders cites the Data for Progress poll with 78% support for $2000 checks.
Again asks for UC for consideration of the checks bill right after the veto override of the defense bill.
McConnell objects.
And so Sanders objects to the motion to proceed.

Bah Gawd that's Ed Markey's voice
Coming in to back up Sanders and I suspect he will also seek UC for the checks bill.
Meaning McConnell will have to object to a vote for the third time today.

This is the scenario I outlined yesterday that will keep Senators in Washington until New Year's Day unless McConnell relents to give a vote on the $2000 payments. https://prospect.org/politics/democrats-plot-to-keep-senate-in-session-over-2000-payments-checks-sanders-mcconnell/

I know nobody listens to these speeches but this has been good rhetoric from Schumer/Sanders/Markey.
What will move Republican Senators to pressure McConnell to give in, however, is that they want to get back to Boise or Cheyenne and relax

Markey: "The American people have a right to know who is on their side." Why didn't he then ask UC to move to the checks bill? Ah well
Chris Murphy now speaking. Expecting a litany of speeches here from Dems on the checks bill.

Murphy did a long riff on billionaires, and now is correctly addressing the innumeracy of "trading" foreign aid for $2,000 payments. In fact the cost of everything Trump said in his speech would add about $14 to direct payments

Just to update, we're now getting a series of Republicans talking about how crucial the defense authorization bill is to get passed, while studiously ignoring $2000 checks