WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is assailing the bipartisan $900 billion pandemic relief package that Congress just passed and is suggesting that he may not sign it.
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Trump complained in a video that he tweeted out Tuesday night that the bill delivered too much money to foreign countries, but not enough to Americans.
The bill provides for a $600 payment to most Americans, but Trump said he is asking 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.”
.@RealDonaldTrump threatens to veto the COVID relief bill for what he deemed a paltry amount of direct relief and inclusion of funding for unrelated programs.
He demands Americans be given $2000 each in a new bill.pic.twitter.com/kFEvcWNTS5
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) December 23, 2020
The relief package was part of a hard-fought compromise bill that includes $1.4 trillion to fund government agencies through September and contains other end-of-session priorities such as money for cash-starved transit systems, an increase in food stamp benefits and about $4 billion to help other nations provide a COVID-19 vaccine for their people.
The relief package was brought forward Monday afternoon and sped through the House and Senate in a matter of hours as lawmakers worked to close the books on the year. While many lawmakers complained about being given so little time to read the bill, they overwhelmingly voted for it as local businesses and constituents seek economic relief from the pandemic
The Senate cleared the package by a 92-6 vote after the House approved it by another lopsided vote, 359-53. Those votes totals would be enough to override a veto should Trump decide to take that step.
After months of partisanship and politicking about a relief package, the logjam broke after President-elect Joe Biden urged his party to accept a compromise with top Republicans that is smaller than many Democrats would have liked.
The bill will establish a temporary $300 per week supplemental jobless benefit and a $600 direct stimulus payment to most Americans, along with a new round of subsidies for hard-hit businesses, restaurants and theaters and money for schools, health care providers and renters facing eviction.
The President enjoys being in the headlines.
Why didn’t this great deal maker get involved in the process earlier? Was he too busy brooding about his loss, watching TV and tweeting. Didn’t the fool know that members of Congress recess for the holidays at this time of year?
This is the latest indication that the man is unstable and should have been removed under the 25th Amendment. The man is deranged without a doubt.
This seals his fate on his 2024 bid for another term.
Wow, he really has no shame.
Maybe Trump is laying the groundwork for running as a Liberal Democrat in 2024. He likes big spending. He likes tariffs. He is against overseas military deployments. He attacks large corporations like Goodyear, GM, and Amazon and Ric Grenell called him the most pro-LGBQT president ever.
According to fox political news correspondent Tyler Olsen, Trump has been absent from the negotiations. Now he has a problem with it
WOW. If trump cared about the amt of handout gelt he would have come out for this 3 months ago. He wasted 3 months and now he comes out for what the Dems wanted all along, $2400 per couple.
It is worth noting both the President and the President-elect agree that larger checks are needed.
The man is 100% correct
Get rid of that pork (why should we pay for that garbage with our tax dollars) and give more to the needy people. It will only help the economy
“Or else the next administration will have to deliver a covid relief package and maybe that administration will be me.”
So, this is another desperate attempt to stay in power. He’s holding America hostage.
“You won’t get your relief package unless I’m the next president.”
Once again Trump is being reckless without thought of consequences. Likely this is all about picking a fight with McConnell.
Delusional Donnie’s deplorables are going to be upset if they don’t get their checks next week. They may come armed to DC.
Hell hell hole and the evil dem governor and mayor shouldn’t get one penny.
I am not a very big fan of these checks and so I can’t say I support the president on this. However, I will say the following,
Once there is so much pork for special interests , get rid of it and put the people first. Like cut the stupid climate change spending or security for private schools. These are just a few I saw. i bet there are 5 other junk that has nothing to do with covid. Wait till the libs blame climate change for covid! LOL! Get rid of the junk and focus on the american people. Keep at $900B but no pork. I think the $600 per person is only about $150B of it. That means if you trim other fat you can increase it to $1200 bu just trimming another 150B of the junk. And its $100B junk cut its $1000 PP. Still nice.
Thne again i prefer just some unemployment and PPP for those hurt most. This whole $600 thing is a waste