Future US President Joe Biden on Saturday warned of the “devastating consequences” for millions of struggling Americans if Donald Trump does not sign, as he threatened, the vast economic stimulus package adopted by Congress .
• Read also: Congress fails to increase amount of household checks in stimulus package
After months of negotiations, US parliamentarians on Monday adopted a plan to support the economy of some 900 billion dollars, but Donald Trump rejected it, asking, among other things, for an increase in direct aid to the most vulnerable households.
“This abdication of responsibilities has devastating consequences”, warned Mr. Biden, referring in particular to the expiration as of this Saturday of unemployment benefits for 10 million people and the end of the current funding of state services on December 28.
“This bill is essential, it must be signed to enter into force now,” the Democratic President-elect added in a statement, highlighting the “economic devastation caused by Covid-19”.
But the Republican billionaire refuses for the moment to ratify the text. He considers that the 600 dollars provided for the lowest incomes, a sum approved by his secretary of the Treasury during negotiations with Congress, is insufficient and calls for this sum to be increased to 2,000 dollars per adult.
“I just want to give very good people $ 2,000, rather than the lousy $ 600 that is currently in the bill,” he reiterated on Twitter Saturday.
The Democrats, in favor of an increase in aid, tried Thursday to pass an amendment to this effect in the House of Representatives, but it was blocked by the Republican minority.
Another session is scheduled for Monday, but in view of the ups and downs of recent months, yet another twist from elected officials or President Trump cannot be excluded.
A presidential veto would indeed have disastrous consequences for millions of Americans, for SMEs and more particularly for the hotel, restaurant and air transport sectors, whose activity should once again suffer from news travel restrictions amid the explosion in COVID-19 infections.
The latest government aid, adopted in the spring as part of the gigantic $ 2.2 trillion support plan in the face of the economic damage caused by the pandemic, expires this Saturday evening.
Tenants or owners having trouble paying their rent or mortgage could be evicted as of January 1.
The current funding for state services also expires Monday, threatening part of the federal administration with paralysis (“shutdown”).
Mr. Biden said that with his presidential victory in November, “the American people had made it clear that the time for action supported by both parties and for compromise had come”.
“I was encouraged to see members of Congress heed this message,” he said, saying Donald Trump “should join them.”
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