President Donald Trump still had not ratified on Sunday the new $ 900 billion economic stimulus plan adopted by Congress on Monday, a situation that plunged into the precariousness of millions of Americans affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The tenant of the White House demands a revaluation of aid checks for families in difficulty, thus opposing the elected officials of his own Republican party.
Its resistance also raises the specter of a closure of public services – shutdown – from Tuesday because the bill is part of a set of legislative texts including the funding of the federal state. Trump had already vetoed the defense budget a few days earlier.
Unemployment benefit under two federal assistance programs put in place in March as part of the first plan to support the economy expired at midnight on Saturday, leaving at least 12 million Americans in the dark. benefited, according to progressive think tank The Century Foundation.
However, the new stimulus plan extends federal aid paid to the unemployed until mid-March, grants guaranteed loans to businesses, and provides billions of dollars in aid to SMEs, catering companies, hotels, restaurants and businesses. air transport etc. – extends the moratorium prohibiting the evictions of people who cannot pay their rent, suspends foreclosures and provides funds for the distribution of anti-Covid vaccines.
Without the signature of Donald Trump to whom the bill was sent on Thursday, all these measures cannot come into force. But the president does not care, as evidenced by his departure on vacation to Florida to play golf.
Hospitals overflowing, unemployment benefits expired, Rome literally burning and the president golfs.
— Molly Jong-Fast (@MollyJongFast) December 27, 2020
Poverty
This aid is crucial especially since the economic recovery is at a standstill, hampered by new restrictions on activity and travel due to the outbreak of Covid-19 infections. They are, according to Andrew Stettner of The Century Foundation, “The only lifeline preventing millions of families from falling into poverty”.
“Without unemployment benefit or a salary, families will not be able to afford food, keep their homes or cars, buy important medicines, will face difficult trials so that finding a job and getting out of the hole in which the recession will have plunged them will be a struggle ”, warns Mr. Stettner. African Americans and Hispanics are the most affected, he says.
Beyond the short-term damage, Mr. Trump’s refusal could worsen the economic wounds caused by the pandemic, in this case a surge in long-term unemployment.
President Donald Trump took parliamentarians by surprise when he ruled on Tuesday that the $ 900 billion stimulus package adopted by a large majority by both houses of Congress and approved by his Minister of the Economy and Finance was a ” shame “.
Without expressly saying that he was going to veto it, he asked for an increase in the amount of checks to be sent directly to households, a request repeated on Saturday.
“I just want to give very good people $ 2,000, rather than the lousy $ 600 that is currently in the bill”, reiterated on Twitter Mr. Trump, who was focused, during the negotiations on the compromise, to denounce the alleged frauds which, according to him, led to his defeat in the presidential election on November 3.
Democrats, in favor of increased payments, attempted Thursday to pass an amendment to this effect in the House of Representatives, but it was blocked by the Republican minority. Another parliamentary session is scheduled for Monday.
“Sign”
The resistance of the ex-real estate magnate is denounced even in his own camp where fuse, as among the Democrats, calls to ratify the latest recovery plan. “We came to an agreement, at least on something. It is not enough but it is a step in the right direction ”, greeted on Sunday on CNN Larry Hogan, the Republican governor of the State of Maryland. “So ratify the legislation”In line with future president Joe Biden, who on Saturday denounced a “Abdication of responsibilities” On Mr. Trump’s part, Democrats have increased the pressure on the incumbent.
“What the President is doing is incredibly cruel”The influential progressive senator Bernie Sanders rebelled on ABC Sunday. “Sign the proposal Mr. President and on Monday, Tuesday we will pass (an amendment) offering direct payments of $ 2,000 for hard-working families in this country.”, added the elected.
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