Donald Trump rejects Covid relief bill: ‘It’s a disgrace’

Donald Trump has rejected a massive COVID economic relief package passed by congress, branding it “a disgrace” in an act of political brinkmanship.

Daughter of President Donald Trump and White House senior adviser Ivanka Trump distributes food boxes to families in Miami, Florida. Picture: AFP

Donald Trump has rejected a massive COVID economic relief package passed by congress, branding it “a disgrace” in an act of political brinkmanship less than a month before he must leave office and when millions of Americans are suffering fallout from the pandemic.

The US President dropped the bombshell via a pre-recorded statement made in the White House and sent out on Twitter.

It came just a day after his ­Republicans and the Democrats finally agreed overwhelmingly to a $US900bn ($1.2 trillion) bill meant to throw a lifeline to businesses and people struggling to keep heads above water.

In his address, Mr Trump said he would refuse to accept the bill as it is and demanded changes, notably a big increase in the proposed $US600 direct payments to less well-off Americans.

“I am asking congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600 to $2000, or $4000 for a couple,” he said, referring to relief cheques.

Tapping into his nationalist “America First” brand, Mr Trump also castigated measures added on to the bill during complex negotiations that would provide funding for projects benefiting US partners abroad and other non-COVID-related items such as the environment.

“It really is a disgrace,” he said. “I’m also asking congress to ­immediately get rid of the wasteful and unnecessary items from this legislation, and just send me a suitable bill.”

Mr Trump has not yet received the bill and he did not explicitly say he would not sign. If he ­vetoed the package, congress would almost certainly quickly override that, given the bipartisan support.

The COVID package is wrapped into a $US2.3 trillion, ­almost 5600-page “coronabus” bill that includes a so-called omnibus bill to fund the government for the coming year.

A congressional override of a veto would mark an embarrassing defeat for Mr Trump, who is spending his final weeks in office before the January 20 inauguration of Joe Biden trying to get the election results overturned.

However, until he has the bill on his desk he has no need to veto. And his motives in picking the fight with congress are intertwined with his extraordinary ongoing struggle to overturn the November 3 election.

Despite courts across the country rejecting his baseless claims of fraud, he has enough allies on the right of the Republican Party — and a devoted following among some voters — to keep trying to derail the traditionally smooth presidential transition.

Mr Trump pushed again on Wednesday AEDT in a second long video statement from the White House, claiming that he won in a “landslide’’. His challenge now puts the Republican Party in a bind, forcing politicians who ­angered him by declaring Mr Biden the winner to choose whether they dare defy him further and risk wrecking COVID relief.

Democratic leaders pounced immediately to insist that their party had been in favour of higher individual relief payments from the start.

“We spent months trying to ­secure $2000 checks but Republicans blocked it,” top Democratic senator Chuck Schumer tweeted.

“Trump needs to sign the bill to help people and keep the government open and we’re glad to pass more aid Americans need. Maybe Trump can finally make himself useful and get Republicans not to block it again.”

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, said: “At last, the President has agreed to $2000 — Democrats are ready to bring this to the Floor this week by unanimous consent. Let’s do it!”

Mr Biden said he would ask congress for another relief bill when he takes office, insisting that Americans want Republicans and Democrats to work together again after Mr Trump goes.

“There’s a clear understanding that these issues go beyond any ideology. People are desperately hurting and the Republicans are hurting as badly as Democrats,” he said.

Mr Biden said more assistance for businesses, the unemployed and healthcare facilities was needed, and quickly.

“Congress did its job this week. And I can and I must ask them to do it again next year,” he said.

“This bill is just a first step — a down payment — on addressing the crisis we’re in. We have a lot more work to do.”

AFP