Just days after President Trump slammed the coronavirus relief bill calling it a “disgrace” he signed into law the $2.3 trillion COVID-19 relief and government spending package.
Trump criticized the bill last Tuesday after being passed by Congress and claimed it had “almost nothing to do with COVID.”
“Congress found plenty of money for foreign countries, lobbyists, and special interests while sending the bare minimum to the American people who need it,” he said.
The president’s decision to sign the package into law means the country will avoid a government shutdown, unemployment benefits will be restored, evictions will be put on pause with rental assistance being, and small businesses will receive additional funding along with many other items in the massive 5,500-page bill.
🚨🚨🚨President @realDonaldTrump has signed H.R. 133, an Act making consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021, providing coronavirus emergency response and relief, and for other purposes.
— Judd Deere 45 Archived (@JuddPDeere45) December 28, 2020
But Trump didn’t just stop there.
Trump also sent Congress a “redlined version” of the bill which includes a detailed breakdown and formal request insisting that “wasteful” items be removed from the bill.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere issued a statement from the president that said, “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. Much more money is coming. I will never give up my fight for the American people!”
NEW: @AppropsDems Chairwoman @NitaLowey on President Trump’s belated signing of HR 133:
“The House Appropriations Committee has jurisdiction over rescissions, and our Democratic Majority will reject any rescissions submitted by President Trump.”https://t.co/H3XqJUrPCZ— House Appropriations Democrats (@AppropsDems) December 28, 2020
However, House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey says it is her committee’s Democratic majority plan to block the president’s request.
“President Trump has indicated that he will now send a rescissions package to Congress that aims to reverse funding his own administration requested and undo the careful bipartisan agreement he has just signed,” said Lowey.“The House Appropriations Committee has jurisdiction over rescissions, and our Democratic Majority will reject any rescissions submitted by President Trump. By turning the page on this request, we will allow the Biden-Harris Administration to begin to Build Back Better.”
The announcement comes the day before the House is scheduled to vote on a bill that would increase direct payments to most individuals from $600 to $2,000.
