US President Donald Trump has finally signed the COVID relief and spending bill, restoring unemployment benefits to millions of Americans, after coming under pressure from legislators.
The White House confirmed the outgoing president had signed the bill shortly after he tweeted, “Good news on Covid Relief Bill. Information to follow.”
President Trump, who has been pictured playing golf at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida over the Christmas weekend, had been under pressure from legislators on both sides to stop blocking the pandemic aid and government funding bill, which had been approved by Congress last week.
The Republican president had demanded the bill be changed to increase the size of stimulus cheques for struggling Americans to $2,000 from $600.
“I have told Congress that I want far less wasteful spending and more money going to the American people in the form of $2,000 checks per adult and $600 per child,” Trump said in a statement announcing he had signed the bill.
White House Deputy Press Secretary, Judd Deere said the president was “sending a strong message” that “wasteful items” needed to be removed from the bill and added that a “redlined” version would be sent back to Congress with a requirement that such items be removed from the bill.
Other conditions include a review and possible repeal of Section 230, under which social media giants cannot be held legally responsible for objectionable words, photos or videos that people post to their platforms.
Deere says Congress also agreed to “focus strongly on the very substantial voter fraud” in the November elections.
The financial package passed with wide margins in the House and Senate and with the understanding of members of both parties that Trump supported it. The bill had to be signed by midnight on Tuesday (05:00 GMT) to ensure the federal government did not run out of money.
“This is President Donald Trump’s last stand at 1: Being relevant and 2: Being able to cause chaos and discord in Washington,” political analyst, Eric Ham told reporters.
Legislators have been urging Trump to sign the legislation immediately and then push Congress for more money given the economic hardship faced by many people and the continuing surge of COVID-19.
As well as unemployment benefits and relief payments to families, the bill was also necessary for money for vaccine distribution, businesses, cash-starved public transport and protections against eviction.
The United States has reported more cases of coronavirus – and more deaths – than any other country in the world and experts are warning of further agony once the Christmas and New Year holidays are over.
Dr Anthony Fauci, the country’s top infectious diseases expert, has warned travel during the holiday season could push the country to a “critical point” in the pandemic.
Congress, which is usually adjourned during the last week of December, is as a result preparing to return to work on later on 28th December.
The Democrats, who control the lower House of Representatives, have proposed an increased relief payment of $2,000, but Republicans have expressed concern about the cost.
