President Donald Trump hinted that a resolution may have been reached on the COVID-19 Relief Bill as lawmakers urge the president to take action on the $2.3 trillion spending measure.
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have renewed their calls to urge Trump to sign the emergency relief bill or veto it immediately. Trump has not committed to signing or vetoing the bill but has instead pressured lawmakers to review spending in the omnibus component of the bill that he believes is “wasteful” and “unnecessary.”
“However, if your objection to the COVID-19 relief bill will prevent you from signing, please veto it immediately. You’ve made your position clear and rejecting it quickly will allow those in favor to act before it is too late.
“Never before in your personal, professional, or political life have you been characterized as a man of inaction. Now is not the time to sit idly by—please do the right thing and sign or veto this bill immediately,” they added.
On Saturday, Trump explained his reasons for his inaction on the bill, saying “I simply want to get our great people $2,000, rather than the measly $600 that is now in the bill. Also, stop the billions of dollars in ‘pork’.”
The legislative text of the over 5,500-page bill was given to House lawmakers just hours before a scheduled vote. Lawmakers griped at the lack of time to read the massive spending bill.
Hundreds of millions of dollars are being sent as forms of aid to foreign countries and other forms of American engagement abroad, according to the omnibus bill. This spending has come under intense scrutiny in recent days.
Trump slammed Congress for spending money on what he described as “unnecessary” programs and foreign aid, and “wasteful items” while Americans continue to struggle due to pandemic lockdowns.
