Bernie hits McConnell: "Let me just make it clear for the majority leader, that 10 out of the poorest 25 counties in the United States of America are located in Kentucky. So maybe my colleague.. might want to get on the phone and start talking to working families in Kentucky."

Bernie tries another consent request to take up the $2,000 checks Thursday morning, followed by moving to a vote on overriding Trump's Defense bill veto. Sen. Toomey is objecting.

Bernie keeps asking John Cornyn what his problem is, with having a vote on checks. Cornyn says they're not targeted, even Bernie staffers might get them. "Why would you send money to government employees who have been receiving their full paycheck?"

Bernie interrupts: "That's a good question, and then I will have to explain that to the people of Vermont." The chair quiets Bernie since Cornyn has the floor. It "was more of a rhetorical question," Cornyn says.