US: Trump rejects COVID rescue package

US President Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that he might not authorize the COVID relief bill worth $900 billion (€739 billion).

In a video released on Twitter, he called the bill a "disgrace." Trump said Congress should increase the amount in the stimulus checks from what he considered the "ridiculously low" $600 to $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for couples.

He also complained about money in the bill going towards the Smithsonian Institution, fish breeding, and foreign countries.

"I'm also asking Congress to immediately get rid of the wasteful and unnecessary items from this legislation, and to send me a suitable bill, or else the next administration will have to deliver a COVID relief package. And maybe that administration will be me," said Trump, despite losing last month's election.

What is in the bill?

The relief package is wrapped up in a $2.3 trillion, nearly 5,600-page "coronabus" bill. The bill includes the so-called omnibus bill worth $1.4 trillion which would fund the federal government for the coming year.  

It was approved by the House of Representatives 359-53, and the Senate 92-6 on Monday. Those totals would be enough to override a presidential veto, should Trump decide to go through with it.

The bill would also provide a temporary $300 per week supplemental jobless benefit, as well as subsidies for hard-hit businesses including restaurants and movie theaters, as well as money for schools and health care providers.

What do the opposition Democrats say?

Democrats supported the idea of higher payouts for individuals. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi agreed with the president that individuals should receive more stimulus money.

In a tweet, Pelosi said, "at last the president has agreed to $2,000 — Democrats are ready to bring this to the Floor this week by unanimous consent."

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said more was needed for American citizens, but opposing Republicans blocked it. "We spent months trying to secure $2,000 checks but Republicans blocked it[.] Trump needs to sign the bill to help people and keep the government open," tweeted Schumer.

President-elect Joe Biden said the bill was far from perfect, "but it does provide vital relief at a critical time."

Biden added that more relief would be needed throughout 2021, when he takes over the presidency.

Could there be a government shutdown?

The US government is currently being funded on a temporary basis until December 28. Failure to pass another stopgap bill or override a potential Trump veto could result in a partial government shutdown.

The federal government has shut down twice under Trump. It first occurred in January 2018 after Congress could not agree on the DREAM Act and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) immigration policies.

Another shutdown occurred from December 2018 to January 2019 due to a disagreement on border security. That shutdown lasted 35 days, the longest in US history.

kbd/rt (AP, AFP, Reuters)