Unemployed benefits for millions of Americans lapsed Sunday before President Trump spent the COVID-19 economic relief package and the accompanying $ 1.4 billion bill to fund the government. Congress passed the bill on Dec. 21 after weeks of negotiations involving members of Mr. Trump’s own government included.
Mr. Trump signed the bill Sunday night, about 18 hours after unemployment benefits expired.
An estimated 12 million Americans lost their unemployment benefits after two major government programs approved by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, expired on December 26, according to a study published last week by The Century Foundation, a progressive think tank was made.
Mr. Trump refused to sign the bill on the $ 600 stimulus checks, but rather on $ 2000 checks. Over the weekend, he also instructed Congress to get rid of the “pork” in the bill, although he did not specify has what he means by pork, which usually refers to appendices added to bills, which are pets or local causes of members of Congress. .
Housewife Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that the House would vote Monday on a stand-alone bill that would give Americans $ 2,000 checks. She said the bill was blocked by Republicans. Mr. Trump said in a statement Sunday night that the Senate would begin work on this bill, although it is unclear what future it would have, as Senate Republicans had previously blocked such payments.
The massive $ 900 billion COVID-19 bill includes not only the $ 600 incentive checks, but also improved unemployment benefits, $ 284.45 billion in small business loans, $ 25 billion in direct rental assistance, $ 82 billion in education funding , $ 45 billion for public transportation systems and $ 13 billion for increased food stamps and childcare benefits.
The bill also extends the eviction moratorium by another month. If not implemented, millions of tenants who have lost their rent could be evicted.
In addition to economic relief, the deal is also earmarked for more than $ 30 billion to support the acquisition and distribution of the coronavirus vaccine and $ 27 billion for testing and state health programs.
Elected President Joe Biden Saturday encouraged Mr. Trump to sign the bill.
“It’s the day after Christmas, and millions of families do not know if they can do it because of President Donald Trump’s refusal to sign an economic relief bill passed by Congress by an overwhelming and twofold majority,” he said. Mr. Biden said in a statement Saturday.
Mr. Trump is in Florida at his Mar-a-Lago resort for the holidays.