- The $ 900 billion stimulus package is on its way to President Donald Trump at his resort in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, several media outlets reported on Thursday.
- Trump criticized the huge 5,593-page bill, which includes the $ 1.4 trillion bus, as a “disgrace” earlier this week and called for an increase in direct payments from $ 600 to $ 2,000.
- Earlier on Thursday, House Democrats acted to advance Trump’s offer for $ 2,000 stimulus checks, but Republicans closed their efforts.
- Trump has not yet indicated whether he will sign the bill, leaving help for millions of Americans and government funding in limbo.
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The $ 900 billion stimulus package is on its way to President Donald Trump for his signature, although it is unclear whether he will sign the bill that would deliver aid to Americans, several news outlets reported on Thursday.
The huge 5,593-page bill, which includes the $ 1.4 trillion bus, is being flown to Florida, where Trump is staying at his resort in Mar-a-Lago for Christmas.
After an eight-month delay, Republicans and Democrats finally passed a bill on Monday night that would send desperately needed economic aid to millions of Americans struggling with the coronavirus pandemic. The legislation would also prevent a government shutdown on Monday and guarantee federal funding until the next fiscal year.
The bill includes emergency funds for small businesses, public health departments and other pandemic-related assistance, as well as weekly unemployment benefits of $ 300 and one-time direct payments of $ 600 for people earning up to $ 75,000 a year.
On Tuesday, Trump torpedoed the bipartisan efforts and threatened to veto the bill, which he described as a “disgrace” in a four-minute video posted on Twitter. The president demanded that Congressional leaders increase the direct payments already negotiated from $ 600 to $ 2,000.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi responded quickly to Trump’s call and on Thursday morning tried to advance the $ 2,000 stimulus checks, but House Republicans blocked the move.
Pelosi then announced that he would bring the House back to the session on Monday to vote on an independent bill to increase direct payments, although it is unlikely to win Republican support. The majority leader of the Republican Party in the Senate, Mitch McConnell, had already closed bids for further stimulus checks.
In the meantime, the legislation as it stands has been pending and awaits Trump’s approval.
Trump has 10 days to sign or veto the bill. If Trump vetoes, Congress can overturn, if it can guarantee enough votes – a two-thirds majority in the House and Senate – to do so.
If Trump does nothing, a pocket veto takes effect and the bill is dead. Additional aid will be suspended and the government may close, which may last until President-elect Joe Biden takes office on January 20.
The White House released a statement on Wednesday that Trump “will continue to work tirelessly for the American people” during the holidays. Trump spent Thursday morning on his golf course and appears to remain focused on the results of the 2020 elections.
“At a meeting in Florida today, everyone was asking why Republicans are not up for war and fighting over Democrats stealing the rigged presidential election?” Trump tweeted on Thursday afternoon. “Especially in the Senate, they said, where you helped 8 senators to win their disputes. How quickly they forget!