Washington D.C. (GNB-Updated Sunday at 10 AM, EST)– Unemployment benefits for millions of Americans, that were expanded earlier this year in response to the coronavirus pandemic expired at midnight on Saturday, as President Trump refused to sign a relief package that includes an extension of federal unemployment assistance.
People who had exhausted regular unemployment benefits or other programs were eligible for these benefits.
President Trump tweeted on Saturday “I simply want to get our great people $2000, rather than the measly $600 that is now in the bill.” Mr. Trump also indicated he wanted to get rid of the “pork” in the bill.
I simply want to get our great people $2000, rather than the measly $600 that is now in the bill. Also, stop the billions of dollars in “pork”.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 26, 2020
In a video posted to Twitter on Tuesday, Trump indicated that he would not sign the COVID-19 relief package passed by both houses of Congress on Monday. He asked Congress to amend the bill and “increase the ridiculously low $600 to $2,000, or $4,000 for a couple. I am also asking Congress to get rid of the wasteful and unnecessary items from this legislation and to send me a suitable bill.”
President-elect Joe Biden has called on President Trump to sign the bipartisan end-of-year spending bill that would provide $600 COVID relief checks to most Americans. The president has demanded the checks be increased to $2,000 — a Democratic proposal that was rejected by his own Republican party on Christmas Eve.
In a statement, Biden said on Saturday- “It is the day after Christmas, and millions of families don’t know if they’ll be able to make ends meet because of President Donald Trump’s refusal to sign an economic relief bill approved by Congress with an overwhelming and bipartisan majority”.
Updated: 1:00 PM (Est): U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders said today on his Twitter page:
If Trump refuses to sign the COVID-relief bill:
-14 million will lose unemployment benefits -The government will shutdown on Tuesday -The eviction moratorium will end on New Year’s Eve Mr. President: Sign this bill NOW & get the Republican Senate to pass $2,000 in direct relief
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
