Trump signs orders aimed at extending some pandemic relief after Congress fails to reach a deal

Democrats have insisted they will not support a bill that does not extend the $600 per week benefit. Senate Republicans released a bill that would set the payment at $200 per week through September. Then, it would change to 70% wage replacement. 

The White House previously offered a one-week extension of the $600 benefit and reportedly floated a $400 a week payment into December. Democrats refused the proposals. 

“This is the money they need, this is the money they want, and this gives them a great incentive to go back to work,” Trump said on Saturday, referring to the $400 in jobless benefits. 

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows previously said they would recommend that Trump take executive action after their coronavirus aid talks with Democratic leaders made little progress. 

After relief discussions ground to a halt on Friday, the Trump administration wanted to show it could act without Congress. It could be part negotiating tactic and part political play: Trump aims to boost his fortunes in an election where his failure to contain the virus has hurt his chances of winning. 

Officials in Washington have faced pressure to boost an economy wrecked by the pandemic and inject resources into a health-care system struggling to handle waves of infections.

The eviction moratorium also lapsed in late July. The combination of the two lifelines ending left millions wondering how they will afford food and stay in their homes. 

In a call prior to Trump signing the executive orders, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told Democratic House members that the president’s rental moratorium was “meaningless” without proper rental assistance, as people will have to eventually backpay rent. 

Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote in a statement that Trump’s policy announcements provide little real help to people and cut vital unemployment benefits. 

“We’re disappointed that instead of putting in the work to solve Americans’ problems, the President instead chose to stay on his luxury golf course to announce unworkable, weak and narrow policy announcements to slash the unemployment benefits that millions desperately need and endanger seniors’ Social Security and Medicare,” Pelosi and Schumer wrote. 

Congress and the White House failed to extend the programs as they tried to negotiate a broader pandemic aid package. Jobless benefits were among the biggest sticking points.

Article source: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/08/trump-signs-executive-order-on-coronavirus-relief.html