Trump Signs Coronavirus Aid Bill
2020-12-29
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1American President Donald Trump signed a $2.3 trillion spending plan measure Sunday night that he had suggested he would veto.
2The bill includes $900 billion for coronavirus aid and $1.4 trillion for government operations through next September.
3The president had called the bill "a disgrace" after the Senate passed it last week.
4His objections surprised many in Congress.
5Republican and Democratic leaders called on Trump throughout the week, urging him to sign it.
6Without Trump's signature or passage of a temporary measure, a partial government shutdown would have begun Tuesday.
7Increased unemployment benefits and housing protections had ended earlier on Sunday.
8House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, called the signing "welcomed news for the 14 million Americans who just lost the lifeline of unemployment benefits on Christmas Weekend, and for the millions more struggling to stay afloat during this historic pandemic and economic crisis."
9Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, praised Trump for preventing "a government shutdown at a time when our nation could not have afforded one."
10He said the bill was not perfect but would do a huge amount of good for struggling Americans "who need help now."
11Trump said in announcing the signing that he was also demanding changes to the legislation to remove what he called "wasteful items."
12Those demands amount to suggestions to Congress and will not necessarily result in any changes to the bill.
13His main objection to the bill was the amount of individual coronavirus aid payments to Americans.
14"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," Trump said in a statement.
15Trump's support for the larger payments was seen as criticism of members of his Republican Party who resisted Democratic efforts to negotiate larger payments.
16Democrats have described the aid bill as just a first step in their push for a more expansive aid program.
17"We need to ensure robust support for state and local government to distribute and administer a vaccine, keep workers employed and prevent devastating service cuts - and we must do so as soon as possible," Pelosi said.
18Trump did veto a separate spending bill last week.
19The $740 billion measure would support the country's defense programs.
20Congress has suspended its usual Christmas break to return to work to consider an override, or rejection, of Trump's veto.
21A two-thirds majority vote in both legislative bodies is required to override a presidential veto.
22I'm Caty Weaver.
1American President Donald Trump signed a $2.3 trillion spending plan measure Sunday night that he had suggested he would veto. The bill includes $900 billion for coronavirus aid and $1.4 trillion for government operations through next September. 2The president had called the bill "a disgrace" after the Senate passed it last week. His objections surprised many in Congress. Republican and Democratic leaders called on Trump throughout the week, urging him to sign it. 3Without Trump's signature or passage of a temporary measure, a partial government shutdown would have begun Tuesday. 4Increased unemployment benefits and housing protections had ended earlier on Sunday. 5House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, called the signing "welcomed news for the 14 million Americans who just lost the lifeline of unemployment benefits on Christmas Weekend, and for the millions more struggling to stay afloat during this historic pandemic and economic crisis." 6Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, praised Trump for preventing "a government shutdown at a time when our nation could not have afforded one." He said the bill was not perfect but would do a huge amount of good for struggling Americans "who need help now." 7Trump said in announcing the signing that he was also demanding changes to the legislation to remove what he called "wasteful items." Those demands amount to suggestions to Congress and will not necessarily result in any changes to the bill. 8His main objection to the bill was the amount of individual coronavirus aid payments to Americans. 9"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," Trump said in a statement. 10Trump's support for the larger payments was seen as criticism of members of his Republican Party who resisted Democratic efforts to negotiate larger payments. 11Democrats have described the aid bill as just a first step in their push for a more expansive aid program. 12"We need to ensure robust support for state and local government to distribute and administer a vaccine, keep workers employed and prevent devastating service cuts - and we must do so as soon as possible," Pelosi said. 13Trump did veto a separate spending bill last week. The $740 billion measure would support the country's defense programs. 14Congress has suspended its usual Christmas break to return to work to consider an override, or rejection, of Trump's veto. A two-thirds majority vote in both legislative bodies is required to override a presidential veto. 15I'm Caty Weaver. 16VOA News reported this story. Caty Weaver adapted it for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. 17__________________________________________________________ 18Words in This Story 19disgrace -n. something that you are or should be ashamed of 20afford -v. to be able to do (something) without having problems or being seriously harmed 21item -n. an individual thing : a separate part or thing 22robust -adj. successful or impressive and not likely to fail or weaken 23distribute -v. to give or deliver (something) to people 24devastating -adj. causing great damage or harm