Donald Trump urges Congress to amend ‘wasteful’ $900bn coronavirus aid bill

April Roach @aprilroach2823 December 2020

Donald Trump threatened to upend the US congresscoronavirus relief package over claims the $900bn (£670bn) is full of “wasteful” items.

The US president called on congress to amend the bill by more than tripling its stimulus payments to Americans.

In a video tweeted out on Tuesday night, Mr Trump said the package “really is a disgrace” suggested he may not sign the legislation.

He urged members of the congress to increase direct payments for most Americans from 600 dollars (£447) to 2,000 dollars (£1,493) for individuals and 4,000 dollars (£2,986) for couples.

The relief package was part of a hard-fought compromise bill that includes 1.4 trillion dollars (£1 trillion) to fund US government agencies through to September and contains other end-of-session priorities such as money for cash-starved transit systems, an increase in food stamp benefits and about four billion dollars (£2.9 billion) to help other nations provide a Covid-19 vaccine for their people.

Legislators spent months in a stalemate over pandemic relief funds, even as Covid-19 cases soared across the country.

Democrats had pushed for higher payments to Americans, but compromised with Republicans to allow a deal to proceed.

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Mr Trump told legislators to “get rid of the wasteful and unnecessary items from this legislation and to send me a suitable bill”.

If the president was to axe the legislation, the government would shut down on December 29 as congress linked the pandemic relief bill to an overarching funding measure.

Following Mr Trump’s comments, US house speaker Nancy Pelosi challenged Mr Trump’s Republican allies in congress to meet the president’s demand for far higher payments.

She said in a tweet: “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!”

An aide said she would put the proposal forward on Thursday for a vote.

Republicans have been reluctant to spend more on pandemic relief and only agreed to the big year-end package as time dwindled for a final deal.

Senator Chuck Schumer, the US senate Democratic leader, said that “Trump needs to sign the bill to help people and keep the government open”, with congress stepping up to provide more aid later.

The senate cleared the huge relief package by a 92-6 vote after the house approved it by 359-53.

Those votes totals would be enough to override a veto should Mr Trump decide to take that step.

The stalemate came to an end after US president-elect Joe Biden urged his party to accept a compromise with top Republicans that is smaller than many Democrats would have liked.

Mr Biden applauded members of congress for their work. He described the package as far from perfect, “but it does provide vital relief at a critical time”.

He also said more relief would be needed in the months ahead. “We have our first hint and glimpse of bipartisanship,” Mr Biden added.

“In this election, the American people made it clear they want us to reach across the aisle and work together.”

Additional reporting by Associated Press.

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