Trump signals he might not sign US Covid-19 relief bill

Bloomberg

President Donald Trump injected confusion into the outlook for Covid-19 relief, demanding changes to the bipartisan legislation approved by Congress.
In a surprise video announcement posted on his Twitter account, Trump called the bill a “disgrace” and said it was full of “wasteful and unnecessary” items. He demanded that lawmakers increase stimulus checks due to go out to most Americans to $2,000, from the “ridiculously low” amount of $600.
“I am asking Congress to amend this bill,” Trump said. “Send me a suitable bill or else the next administration will have to deliver a Covid relief package. And maybe that administration will be me, and we will get it done.”
The attack on the legislation, which included $900 billion in relief along with $1.4 trillion in government funding through next September, marked a sudden change after the administration had endorsed frantic negotiations among congressional leaders to get a deal after months of deadlock.
If the president doesn’t sign the legislation by December 28, government funding would lapse after midnight that day.
Earlier, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin had lauded the package, tweeting that it would provide “critical economic relief for American workers, families and businesses.”
Trump didn’t specify whether he would veto the measure. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi responded to Trump’s video message by saying she welcomed his call for $2,000 checks for most Americans.
“Republicans repeatedly refused to say what amount the President wanted for direct checks. At last, the President has agreed to $2,000 — Democrats are ready to bring this to the Floor this week by unanimous consent. Let’s do it!” she tweeted.
House Democratic leaders, according to two people familiar with their thinking, plan to offer a separate bill during a pro forma session on Thursday that would replace references to $600 in the legislation passed Monday with $2,000.
Representative Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan Democrat, tweeted Tuesday night that she and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York “have the amendment ready. Send the bill back, and we will put in the $2,000.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer tweeted that the president should sign the current bill “to help people and keep the government open and we’re glad to pass more aid Americans need.”

The House adjourned Monday after approving the pandemic relief bill, with only pro forma sessions scheduled until possible votes on December 28. The Senate is next scheduled to convene for regular business on December 29.
If Trump vetoes or declines to sign the measure, it would suspend benefits from the previous Covid relief bill that expire at the end of the month, including a moratorium on evictions and extended unemployment insurance — all of which were addressed in the giant package.