Trump promises 'good news' on COVID relief as millions lose benefits

WEST PALM BEACH, United States, December 28 ------ US President Donald Trump on Sunday promised "good news" on a massive COVID-19 relief bill that he has so far refused to sign, but did not give further details as millions of Americans struggling through the pandemic faced the loss of unemployment benefits. "Good news on Covid Relief Bill. Information to follow!" the president tweeted during his Christmas vacation at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, without elaborating further.

For nearly a week, Trump has refused to sign the $900-billion relief package approved overwhelmingly by Congress following months of negotiation, calling it a "disgrace." Two federal unemployment benefit programs approved in March as part of an initial COVID relief plan expired at midnight on Saturday, cutting off an estimated 12 million Americans, according to The Century Foundation think tank.

The delay also threatened to provoke a government shutdown by Tuesday since the relief package is part of a larger spending bill, though lawmakers could approve another temporary extension to keep the government open. The relief package, passed by Congress on December 21, would extend those benefits as well as others set to expire in the days ahead. But Trump has pushed for the $600 direct payments to US taxpayers spelled out in the bill to be more than tripled, and argued the legislation included too much excess spending on unrelated programs. He did not say why he waited until the bill was already approved to make his views known.

President-elect Joe Biden, due to be sworn in January 20 after beating Trump in November's election, warned of "devastating consequences" on Saturday if the president continued his refusal.

Source: philstar.com