WASHINGTON - The House on Monday voted to beef up stimulus checks set to go to American households in the coming weeks from $600 to $2,000, acting swiftly after President Donald Trump demanded the larger payments in threatening to reject the broader coronavirus-relief and government-funding bill that contained them. 

Trump signed the massive bill Sunday evening and pledged to continue pushing for the larger checks, which would add several hundred billion dollars to the price of an aid bill that congressional Republicans sought to keep under $1 trillion. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and other Democrats eagerly embraced Trump's call for larger checks while ignoring his complaints about other parts of the massive bill, including spending on foreign aid and environmental programs.

Forty-four Republicans joined the majority of Democrats in passing the bill on a 275-134 vote.

"It's not exactly what we would put on the floor if Republicans were in control," said Rep. Tom Reed, R-N.Y., who supported the larger checks. "But I think it recognizes the fact that, she's the speaker and as a Democratic speaker, they're going to have an input as to what that package is going to look like in regards to the terms and conditions of the direct checks. I'm willing to take half a loaf, and I think the president recognizes that."

Monday's vote took place after House Republican leaders blocked an attempt last week to pass the larger checks by unanimous consent in the House. The measure now goes to the Senate, where it is unclear whether Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., will move to consider it in the closing days of the current Congress.

In a statement Sunday, Trump said the Senate would "start the process for a vote that increases checks to $2,000, repeals [liability protections for tech companies], and starts an investigation into voter fraud."

McConnell made no mention of such a process in his own statement Sunday thanking Trump for signing the relief bill. A McConnell spokesman declined to comment Monday.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Sunday that he would attempt to pass the bill in the Senate himself as soon as Tuesday morning, but any one senator could block the measure from proceeding. McConnell could seek to package the larger checks with other Trump demands, but that probably would generate Democratic objections and prevent a vote before the new Congress is seated Jan. 3.