‘Devastating consequences’: Biden blasts Trump for not signing COVID relief bill before unemployment aid lapses
Donald Trump demands bigger stimulus checks in $900 billion COVID-19 relief package passed by Congresscompromises Republicans and Democrats struck as they negotiated the contents of the relief package, with most Democrats wanting higher payments like the $1,200 payments Americans were given as a part of the last major stimulus bill.
GOP leaders were also assured by the White House that the president would support the bipartisan legislation, including the $600 direct payments Republicans agreed to.
refusal to sign this bill further delays the first COVID relief in months of Congress repeatedly failed to come together on another stimulus package even as many of the measures and aid began to expire.
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Trump also tweeted about the direct payments on Christmas, asking why politicians wouldn’t want to give Americans $2000.
“Made many calls and had meetings at Trump International in Palm Beach, Florida,” Trump said after a round of golf on Friday. “Why would politicians not want to give people $2000, rather than only $600? It wasn’t their fault, it was China. Give our people the money!”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in a rare moment of agreement with the president, tweeted, “at last, the President has agreed to $2,000 – Democrats are ready to bring this to the Floor this week by unanimous consent. Let’s do it!”
House Republicans blocked Democrats’ attempt to raise the direct payment from $600 to $2000 by unanimous consent on Thursday.. Now, the fate of the direct payments, along with the rest of the package, remains uncertain until at least next week when Congress is back in session.
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In addition to wanting to increase the direct payments, Trump called on Congress to “get rid of the wasteful and unnecessary items from this legislation, and to send me a suitable bill,” in his Tuesday video.
