WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (NewsNation Now) — President Donald Trump has signed a $900 billion pandemic relief package that will deliver long-sought cash to businesses and individuals. It also averts a government shutdown.
Trump announced the signing in a statement Sunday night.
The massive bill includes $1.4 trillion to fund government agencies through September and contains other end-of-session priorities such as money for cash-starved transit systems and an increase in food stamp benefits.
"I will sign the Omnibus and Covid package with a strong message that makes clear to Congress that wasteful items need to be removed," Trump said in a statement. "I will send back to Congress a redlined version, item by item, accompanied by the formal rescission request to Congress insisting that those funds be removed from the bill."
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell applauded the development in a Tweet Sunday evening.
"I am glad the American people will receive this much-needed assistance as our nation continues battling this pandemic," he said.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi echoed McConnell's comments on the importance of the legislation but said the latest relief package is just a start.
“This relief legislation is a down payment on what is needed to crush the virus, put money in the pockets of the American people and honor our heroes – our health care workers, first responders, transit and sanitation workers and teachers," said Pelosi. "We need to ensure robust support for state and local government to distribute and administer a vaccine, keep workers employed and prevent devastating service cuts – and we must do so as soon as possible."
Democrats are promising more aid to come once President-elect Joe Biden takes office, but Republicans are signaling a wait-and-see approach.
Last week, President Trump pushed to increase direct payments for most Americans from $600 to $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for couples. Democrats signaled they supported the move. Republicans blocked it. Now, with the president's signature, the checks will be at $600 per adult and per dependent child, with caps based on annual income.
“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 $2,000 checks per adult and $600 per child," the president said in a statement.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi plans to bring a standalone bill to the House floor Monday to increase check sizes.
"Now, the President must immediately call on Congressional Republicans to end their obstruction and to join him and Democrats in support of our stand-alone legislation to increase direct payment checks to $2,000, which will be brought to the Floor tomorrow," Pelosi said.
This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.
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