Trump Signs Stimulus, Gov’t. Spending Bill — Will Use Impoundment Control Act To Cut ‘Wasteful Spending,’ Boost Stimulus Checks
After days of hesitating to sign a US$2.3 trillion combined coronavirus relief bill and government expenditure plan, President Donald Trump finally signed the proposal on Sunday,, extending unemployment benefits that expired and also averting the possibility of a government shutdown.
The President was earlier demanding that Congress increase the direct payments to Americans to US$2,000 from the US$600 included in the bill that both the House and the Senate approved before Christmas break — and that Congress also cut “wasteful” spending in the proposal, including “hundreds of billions” in foreign aid, as well as appropriations unrelated to the coronavirus.
But as of Saturday, lawmakers seem unwilling to go back to the negotiating table putting the pressure instead on President Trump with expired unemployment benefits for millions of Americans and a looming government shutdown on the line.
“Good news on Covid Relief Bill. Information to follow!” the President tweeted.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1343336121040777217
“I am signing to restore unemployment benefits, stop evictions”
Shortly after, President Trump issued a statement announcing his decision to sign the relief bill noting that he “will never give up” his fight for the American people.
“As President of the United States it is my responsibility to protect the people of our country from the economic devastation and hardship that was caused by the China virus. I understand that many small businesses have been forced to close as a result of harsh actions by Democrat-run states. Many people are back to work, but my job is not done until everyone is back to work,” he said, noting that thanks to the CARES Act approved earlier this year, the country was able to avoid another Great Depression.
He also cited the tremendous success of the “Project Warp Speed” — which resulted in the development of a coronavirus vaccine in record time “many years ahead of wildest expectations.”
“As President, I have told Congress that I want far less wasteful spending and more money going to the American people in the form of US$2,000 checks per adult and US$600 per child. As President I am demanding many rescissions under the Impoundment Control Act of 1974,” he added, noting that the White House will transmit to both Houses of Congress a special message describing the amount to be reserved, the relevant accounts, the reasons for the rescission, and the economic effects of the rescission.
“I will sign the Omnibus and Covid package with a strong message that makes clear to Congress that wasteful items need to be removed.”
“I am signing this bill to restore unemployment benefits, stop evictions, provide rental assistance, add money for PPP, return our airline workers back to work, add substantially more money for vaccine distribution, and much more,” President Trump said.
Demand holds for bigger stimulus checks, cut on “pork”
Meanwhile, he noted that on Monday, the House will also vote to increase payments to individuals from US$600 to US$2,000 and the Senate will also start the process for a vote that increases checks to US$2,000.
“Congress has promised that Section 230, which so unfairly benefits Big Tech at the expense of the American people, will be reviewed and either be terminated or substantially reformed. Likewise, the House and Senate have agreed to focus strongly on the very substantial voter fraud which took place in the November 3 Presidential election,” the President added, noting once again his call that voter fraud “must be fixed.”
“Much more money is coming. I will never give up my fight for the American people!” President Trump said.
