Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) described the $2,000 direct payments to households as “socialism for rich people,” arguing that targeted relief in the stimulus bill is needed. It came as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) asked for unanimous consent to pass the $2,000 direct payments as a standalone bill, which was rejected. “Our colleagues who purport to be the champions of vulnerable Americans now say that what struggling people really need is for Congress to stop focusing on targeted relief for them specifically and to instead send thousands of dollars to people who don’t need the help,” McConnell argued on the Senate floor on Thursday. McConnell said the direct payments are tantamount to “borrowing from our grandkids to do socialism for rich people,” adding that it is a “terrible way to get help to families who actually need it.” McConnell sought to combine that bill with other provisions such as …