Trump signs pandemic relief package already approved by Congress

DORAL, FL – Days before Christmas, a pandemic relief package was approved by Congress aimed at providing $600 per person stimulus checks, among other things. On Sunday, President Trump signed this bill turning it into law. 

The $900 billion pandemic relief package includes $1.4 trillion to fund government agencies through September and contains other end-of-session priorities such as an increase in food stamp benefits, according to AP. 

It also includes $300-per-week unemployment benefits, renewed funding for Paycheck Protection Program small business loans, money for COVID-19 vaccines and testing, and extended tax breaks, among other things. 

The delay of the signing of this bill was due to the President’s claims that $600 per person wasn’t enough money for the people hit by the pandemic. He wanted $2,000 instead and continues being unsatisfied with the measure even after signing the bill. 

“I will sign the Omnibus and Covid package with a strong message that makes clear to Congress that wasteful items need to be removed,” Trump said in the statement.

Lawmakers and parties will now debate whether the relief checks should be as initially planned or as proposed by Trump, although the revisions proposed are suggestions and the bill won’t necessarily be changed. 

AP reported that Democratic-led House is in favor of providing larger checks and will vote on the issue on Monday, Dec. 28. For now, the administration can only begin work sending out the $600 payments.

“The compromise bill is not perfect, but it will do an enormous amount of good for struggling Kentuckians and Americans across the country who need help now,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. “I thank the President for signing this relief into law.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called the signing “welcome news for the fourteen million Americans who just lost the lifeline of unemployment benefits on Christmas weekend, and for the millions more struggling to stay afloat during this historic pandemic and economic crisis.”

Regarding when will the second stimulus checks arrive for the millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet, it was told before the president signed the bill that they were to be send before New Year’s Eve. But it is still unknown if that arrival date is feasible.