Trump Demands Congress Amend ‘Wasteful’ COVID-19 Relief Bill

By Staff, Agencies

US President Donald Trump rejected a nearly $900bn emergency spending legislation to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic that took months to negotiate, telling Congress to amend the bill and increase the amount of relief to Americans, among other demands.

In a video message posted on social media on Tuesday night, Trump also claimed the bill contained “wasteful spending,” which he said had nothing to do with the pandemic.

“The bill they are now planning to send back to my desk is much different than anticipated,” Trump said.

“It really is a disgrace.”

While he did not explicitly say he would not sign the bill, which passed overwhelmingly on Monday in both houses of Congress, Trump made it clear he would not accept the legislation in its current form.

“I am asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600 to $2,000, or $4,000 for a couple,” he said, referring to relief cheques meant to go out to most Americans.

“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.”