Unemployment benefits lapse with stimulus bill stuck in limbo
Emergency unemployment benefits for millions of Americans lapsed overnight with President Trump and Congress still deadlocked about how much to give people in relief checks as part of a massive coronavirus economic stimulus bill.
Trump has refused to sign the legislation after demanding Congress increase the amount of money in individual stimulus checks to Americans from the proposed $600 to $2,000.
Democrats welcomed Trump’s demand, but Republicans on Capitol Hill rejected the idea.
“It is the day after Christmas, and millions of families don’t know if they’ll be able to make ends meet because of President Donald Trump’s refusal to sign an economic relief bill approved by Congress with an overwhelming and bipartisan majority,” said President-elect Joe Biden in a statement on Saturday, adding that Trump’s refusal to sign the bill would have “devastating consequences” for the American people and the country’s economy.
Trump defended his hard-line approach on the stimulus checks in a tweet late Saturday night.
$2000 + $2000 plus other family members. Not $600. Remember, it was China’s fault!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 27, 2020
Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Regular the hill posts