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Summary
- The bill was overwhelmingly passed on Monday night after months of deliberations
- In case Trump chooses to veto the legislation, the government could shut down next week
The US President Donald Trump rejected the $900 billion coronavirus support package which was approved by a majority by leaders of both chambers of Congress. The aid includes desperately needed funds for the US citizens, but Trump wants the size of the kitty to be increased. The outgoing Republican president has less than a month left to leave his office. He tweeted that the bill Congress was planning to send him for signing was different from what he had anticipated.
Trump wants the Congress to up the amount of support for individuals to $2,000 in place of $600 currently provided in the bill.
The outgoing president is also not happy with the high amount of funds provided for the foreign nations which should be replaced with more US families and smaller businesses. He also wanted amendments in funding towards fish breeding and the Smithsonian Institution. He informed that he had requested the Congress to remove the wasteful items from the legislation and modify it suitably. He threatened that otherwise, the next administration would have to deliver a coronavirus relief package.
(Image source: ©Kalkine Group 2020)
Can the bill be amended now?
Well, the answer is yes if the Congress leaders are interested in doing so. In case they don’t wish to make any amendments, Trump can either sign the bill into a law, or do nothing in which case also it will turn into a law. But he has another option – to use his veto power – and if he does that then it could lead to a partial government shutdown during the next week.
The 5593-page long bill also contains the spending details for the federal programs worth $1.4 trillion for the next 9 months.
In case the bill is amended, it may be difficult to do so by December 28. The government operations are currently being funded on a temporary basis till this day when the federal expenditure plan for the next year would be approved.
Trump has also pointed out that a 2-year tax break was insufficient for the ailing restaurant industry in America.
Responding to his concerns, Nancy Pelosi, House Speaker said that Democrats might introduce Trump’s proposal for $2,000 individual support to the House floor this week itself. She has not responded to the outgoing president’s other concerns yet.
The legislation was unanimously passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on Monday night.
Trump’s warning could spoil the efforts by the Congress to provide immediate relief to individuals and businesses for getting an urgent pandemic relief.
