The independent senator from Vermont, monday pledges to delay the passage of a defense bill unless Senate holds a vote on providing $2,000 direct payments to Americans.

“McConnell and the Senate want to expedite the override vote and I understand that. But I’m not going to allow that to happen unless there is a vote, no matter how long that takes, on the $2,000 direct payment,” Sanders said to politico on Monday night. “The American people are desperate, and the Senate has got to do its job before leaving town. It would be unconscionable, especially after the House did the right thing, for the Senate to simply leave Washington without voting on this.”

President Trump vertoed the $740 billion defense package on Wednesday, and on Monday, the House voted to override that veto. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnel aims to hold a vote to override on the Senate floor, but in order to skip the procedural waiting period, the consent of all senators is required.

Senator Sanders can’t ultimately stop the veto override vote. But he can delay it until New Year’s Day and make things more difficult for the Republicans.

Veto overrides can be filibustered, as Sanders plans to do so. But it is a rare procedural move because the veto override requires 67 votes and the filibuster is simply a delay tactic, according to the Congressional Research Service.

Sanders that he hopes McConnell allows a vote on the checks on Wednesday.