Politics

Newt Gingrich: Will Be ‘Very Hard’ For Perdue, Loeffler To Win Unless $2,000 Direct Payment Bill Is Passed

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Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich suggested that it would be “very hard” for Republican Georgia Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue to win their runoff races unless the Senate passes the bill to provide $2,000 in direct payments to Americans.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday blocked an attempt by Democrats to unanimously approve a bill from the House that would increase the already passed $600 direct payments to $2,000, a measure supported by President Donald Trump and both Georgia senators.

While the Kentucky senator did introduce another bill that would tie the payments to a repeal of legal liability protections from internet platforms and an investigation of election issues, Gingrich worried that such a “clever parliamentary game” may “look good inside the Senate,” but could cost Republicans control for at least the next two years.

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“Mitch is an extraordinarily smart guy,” Gingrich told Fox News anchor Sandra Smith on Wednesday morning’s “America’s Newsroom.” “But on this one, he’s frankly confused different things. The long-term control of the U.S. Senate lies in Georgia. Both Georgia senators have endorsed the $2,000 payment that President Trump has proposed and Mitch ought to bring it up for the clean vote.”

The former Republican House Speaker suggested that McConnell also bring up repealing Section 230 and an election fraud commission as clean votes also, separated from the direct payments.

“Because frankly, if Warnock and Ossoff could be in favor of the $2,000 unit and can attack Mitch McConnell for the next six days, I think it’s very hard at that point to win the race,” he said. “This is very straightforward. Once we get this solved then it’s a straightforward fight with two things, turnout and making sure the ballot count is honest.” (RELATED: Mitch McConnell: GOP Win In Georgia Will Guarantee Biden ‘Will Be A Moderate’)

Gingrich went on to praise Republicans’ grassroots efforts in Georgia. Republicans must win at least one of two seats in the Jan. 5 runoff in order to maintain Senate control.