Millions of Americans Set To Lose Unemployment Benefits As COVID-19 Relief Bill Stalls

Jobless benefits for millions expired this weekend as Donald Trump refused to sign off on the coronavirus relief bill after the House and Senate — finally agreed after months of negotiations. The proposed bill was a massive package that included $600 direct payments set to help millions of financially devastated Americans.

According to the NY Post, Trump called for Congress to increase the payments to $2,000, but House Republicans shot down that proposal when they voted against the provision on Christmas Eve.

Nancy Pelosi, the House Speaker, has scheduled a last-minute vote on Monday to get the $2,000 COVID-19 stimulus checks approved.

The government will shut down moments after midnight on Tuesday. If Trump does not sign off the bill, protections against eviction in the bill will expire for millions on Thursday as well.

Trump has continually blasted the massive 5,593-page bill for the paltry $600 payment offered to Americans and the billions of funds it includes in wasteful spending and foreign aid.

“I simply want to get our great people $2000, rather than the measly $600 that is now in the bill,” Trump tweeted on Saturday while on holiday at his famed Mar-a-Lago resort in sunny Florida. “ Also, stop the billions of dollars in ‘pork.’”

Trump also tweeted, “$2000 + $2000 plus other family members. Not $600. Remember, it was China’s fault!” He wrote in a parting shot.