Trump signs compromise £600bn pandemic aid bill
PRESIDENT Donald Trump signed a £664 billion pandemic relief package on Sunday, ending days of drama over his refusal to accept the bipartisan deal that will deliver long-sought cash to businesses and individuals in the United States and avert a federal government shutdown.
The massive bill includes £1.03 trillion to fund government agencies through to September and contains other end-of-session priorities such as money for cash-starved transit systems and an increase in food stamp benefits.
Mr Trump announced the signing in a statement that spoke of his frustrations with the Covid-19 relief for including only £443 cheques to most Americans instead of the £1,476 that his fellow Republicans rejected.
He also complained about what he considered unnecessary spending by the government at large, but his 11th-hour objections created turmoil because politicians had thought he was supportive of the bill, which had been negotiated for months with White House input.
“I will sign the Omnibus and Covid package with a strong message that makes clear to Congress that wasteful items need to be removed,” Mr Trump said in the statement.
While the president insisted he would send Congress “a red-lined version” with items to be removed under the rescission process, those are merely suggestions to Congress. The bill, as signed, would not necessarily be changed.
Politicians now have breathing room to continue debating whether the relief cheques should be as generous as the president has demanded. The Democratic-led Congress supports the larger cheques and was set to vote on the issue yesterday, but it is expected to be ignored by the Republican-held Senate, where spending faces stern opposition.
Republicans and Democrats swiftly welcomed Mr Trump’s decision to sign the bill into law. “The compromise bill is not perfect, but it will do an enormous amount of good for struggling Kentuckians and Americans across the country who need help now,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, referencing his home state. “I thank the President for signing this relief into law.”
Democrats are promising more aid to come once President-elect Joe Biden takes office, but Republicans are signalling approach.
In the face of growing economic hardship, spreading disease and a looming shutdown, politicians on Sunday had urged Mr Trump to sign the legislation immediately, and then have Congress follow up with additional aid.
Aside from unemployment benefits and relief payments to families, money for vaccine distribution, businesses, cash-starved public transit systems and more is on the line. Protections against evictions also hung in the balance.
Republican senator Pat Toomey, of Pennsylvania, said he understood Mr Trump “wants to be remembered for advocating for big cheques, but the danger is he will be remembered for chaos and misery and erratic behaviour if he allows this to expire.” a wait-and-see