The deal also provides $ 1.4 trillion to fund government agencies through September and contains other priorities at the end of the session, such as an increase in the benefits of the food stamp.
The signing on Sunday, at his private club in Florida, came as he faced escalating criticism over his eleven-hour demands for relief checks in excess of $ 2,000 and reduced spending, despite that the bill had already been passed by the House and Senate by a wide margin. The bill was passed with what lawmakers had thought was Trump’s blessing and after months of negotiations with his administration.
Its drag caused a drop in unemployment benefits for millions of people and threatened to stop the government in the midst of a pandemic. But the signing of the bill prevents a new crisis from the creation of Trump and puts an end to the conflict with his own party during the last days of his administration.
It was unclear what, if anything, Trump achieved with his delay, beyond angering all parties and empowering Democrats to continue his push for higher relief controls, something his own. party opposes.
In his statement, Trump reiterated his frustrations with the COVID-19 relief bill for providing only $ 600 checks to most Americans instead of the $ 2,000 that his fellow Republicans already rejected. He also complained about what he considered unnecessary government spending in general.
“I will sign the nmnibus and Covid package with a strong message that makes it clear to Congress that wasteful items need to be removed,” Trump said in the statement.
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While the president insisted he would send Congress a “redefined version” with elements that should be removed in the termination process, these are just suggestions to Congress. The bill, as signed, will not necessarily be amended.
Democrats, who have a majority in the House, immediately vowed to avoid any cuts. Democrats will “reject any termination” presented by the president, said New York Rep. Nita Lowey, chair of the Appropriations Committee.
Lawmakers now have room to breathe to continue debating whether relief checks should be as large as the president has demanded. The Democratic-led House supports the larger checks and will vote on the issue on Monday, but the Republican Senate, where spending faces opposition, is expected to be ignored. For now, the administration can only start working by sending the $ 600 payments.
Republican Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama, a Conservative who backed Trump’s extraordinary and futile challenge to election results, counted Monday among opponents of a more generous bailout package and Trump’s call for higher payments .
“It’s money we don’t have, we have to apply for loans to get it and we can’t afford to pay,” he told Fox and Friends. “Someone has to show me how we’re going to pay it. To what extent before we all go into debilitating insolvency and bankruptcy?”
But Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York said she was open to the idea of $ 2,000 checks. “Many Americans have a great need for relief,” he told the program.
Together, Republicans and Democrats quickly embraced Trump’s decision to sign the bill.
“The compromise bill is not perfect, but it will bring a lot of benefits to Kentuckians and Americans who are struggling across the country and need help now,” said Mitch McConnell, leader of most of the Senate, R-Ky. “I thank the president for signing this relief on the law.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, called the signing “welcome news for the fourteen million Americans who just lost their lives on unemployment benefits over the Christmas weekend and for to the millions more who struggle to stay afloat during this historic economic crisis and pandemic. “
Others criticized Trump’s delay in turning the bill into law. In a tweet, Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va, accused Trump of having “played Russian roulette with American lives. A familiar and comfortable place for him.”
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., said he would offer Trump’s proposal for $ 2,000 checks to vote in the Senate, putting Republicans in place.
“The House will approve a bill to give the checks $ 2,000,” Schumer tweeted. “Then I will pass for approval in the Senate.” He said no Democrat will oppose it. “Senate Republicans?”
Democrats promise more help when President-elect Joe Biden arrives, but Republicans indicate a wait-and-see approach.
Congress will move forward Monday, with the House expected to vote to overturn Trump’s veto on an annual defense bill, facing the president over another big issue in the final days of the session. The Senate is expected to continue on Tuesday.
Faced with growing economic hardship, the spread of disease and an impending shutdown, lawmakers spent Sunday urging Trump to sign the legislation immediately and then have Congress follow up with additional help. Aside from unemployment benefits and benefits to families, there was money for the distribution of vaccines, businesses and more. Protections against evictions also remained in balance.
“What the president is doing right now is incredibly cruel,” Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Said of the delay in Trump’s tactics before the president signed the law. “There are so many people hurting … It’s really crazy and this president has to finally do … the right thing for the American people and stop worrying about their ego.”
Republican Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania said he understood Trump “wants to be remembered for defending great controls, but the danger is that he will be remembered for chaos and misery and erratic behavior if he allows it to expire.”
Toomey added, “So I think the best thing you should do, like I said, is sign this and then stand up for subsequent legislation.”
Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois said there is too much at stake for Trump to “play this old switcheroo game.”
“I don’t get the point,” he said. “I don’t understand what is being done, why, unless it’s just to create chaos and show power and be upset because you lost the election.”
Washington had been spared since Trump initiated the deal. Fingers pointed to administration officials, including Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, as lawmakers tried to understand if they were wrong about Trump’s position.
“Now, to be sacked, after the president’s person has negotiated something the president doesn’t want, is that it’s amazing,” Kinzinger said.
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