House Republicans shot down a Democratic bid on Thursday to pass President Donald Trump’s long shot, end-of-session demand for $2,000 direct payments to most Americans before signing a long-overdue COVID-19 relief bill.The made-for-TV clash came as the Democratic-controlled chamber convened for a pro forma session scheduled in anticipation of a smooth Washington landing for the massive, year-end legislative package, which folds together a $1.4 trillion