The $900 billion stimulus package that Trump bashed is being flown to Florida for his signature
President Donald Trump has refused to say whether he will sign the bill, leaving aid for millions of Americans and government funding up in the air.
Patrick Semansky/AP Photo
- The $900 billion stimulus package is on its way to President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, multiple news outlets reported on Thursday.
- Trump blasted the massive 5,593-page bill, which includes the $1.4 trillion omnibus, as a "disgrace" earlier this week and demanded an increase in direct payments from $600 to $2,000.
- Earlier on Thursday, House Democrats moved to advance Trump's bid for $2,000 stimulus checks but Republicans shut down their efforts.
- Trump has not yet indicated whether he will sign the bill, leaving aid for millions of Americans and government funding in limbo.
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The roughly $900 billion stimulus package is on its way to President Donald Trump for his signature, though it's unclear whether he will sign the bill that would deliver aid to Americans, mutliple news outlets reported on Thursday.
The massive 5,593-page bill, which includes the $1.4 trillion omnibus, is being flown on the plane to Florida, where Trump is staying at his Mar-a-Lago resort for Christmas.
After eight months of delay, Republicans and Democrats finally passed a bill on Monday night that would send desperately-needed economic relief to millions of Americans struggling because of the coronavirus pandemic. The legislation would also avoid a government shutdown on Monday and secure federal funding through the next fiscal year.
The bill includes emergency funds aimed at small businesses, public health departments, and other pandemic-related assistance, as well as $300 weekly unemployment benefits and one-time direct payments of $600 to people earning up to $75,000 per year.
On Tuesday, Trump torpedoed the bipartisan efforts and threatened to veto the bill, which he described as a "disgrace" in a four-minute video posted on Twitter. The president demanded congressional leaders bump up the already-negotiated direct payments of $600 to $2,000.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi swiftly answered Trump's call and on Thursday morning tried to advance the $2,000 stimulus checks, but House Republicans blocked the move.
Pelosi then announced that she would bring the House back to session on Monday to hold a vote on a stand-alone bill for the increased direct payments, though it's unlikely to get Republican support. GOP Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has previously shut down bids for larger stimulus checks.
In the meantime, the legislation as it stands has been enrolled and awaits Trump's approval.
Trump has 10 days to sign or veto the bill. Should Trump veto, Congress could override it, if they can guarantee enough votes - a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate - to do so.
If Trump does nothing, a pocket-veto goes into effect, and the bill is dead. Additional aid will be held up, and the government may shut down, which could last until President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in on January 20.
The White House released a statement on Wednesday that Trump "will continue to work tirelessly for the American People" through the holidays. Trump has spent Thursday morning at his golf course, and appears to remain focused on the 2020 election results.
"At a meeting in Florida today, everyone was asking why aren't the Republicans up in arms & fighting over the fact that the Democrats stole the rigged presidential election?" Trump tweeted on Thursday afternoon. "Especially in the Senate, they said, where you helped 8 Senators win their races. How quickly they forget!