Washington:
US President-elect Joe Biden warned Saturday of “devastating consequences” if President Donald Trump continues to delay signing a Covid-19 financial relief bill passed by Congress.
Trump threw a extended-awaited pandemic help package into doubt final week as millions of Americans ready to drop positive aspects and face eviction — demanding lawmakers more than triple the $600 direct payments to US taxpayers.
“This abdication of responsibility has devastating consequences. Today, about 10 million Americans will lose unemployment insurance benefits,” Biden stated in a statement.
“In just a few days, government funding will expire, putting vital services and paychecks for military personnel at risk. In less than a week, a moratorium on evictions expires, putting millions at risk of being forced from their homes over the holidays.”
In a video late Tuesday, Trump, who is due to leave workplace in significantly less than a month, known as the $900 million bill “a disgrace” — in spite of it becoming passed Monday with a huge bipartisan majority soon after months of negotiation.
The legislation was developed to throw a lifeline to organizations and people today struggling to retain their heads above water.
But in a pre-recorded statement produced in the White House and sent out on Twitter, Trump stated he would refuse to accept the bill without having modifications.
“I am asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600 to $2,000, or $4,000 for a couple,” he stated.
The move puts Trump at odds with Senate Republican majority leader Mitch McConnell and House minority leader Kevin McCarthy, who have ruled out any bigger stimulus measures.
Democrats failed Thursday to get a standalone measure by means of Congress to improve the payments that would go to all taxpayers earning up to $75,000 a year, with smaller sized amounts for these creating up to $99,000.
“Delay means more small businesses won’t survive this dark winter because they lack access to the lifeline they need, and Americans face further delays in getting the direct payments they deserve as quickly as possible to help deal with the economic devastation caused by Covid-19,” Biden added.
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