Trump, Who Backed Out at the Last Minute, Finally Signs Stimulus Bill (Comprehensive)

Signing at Golf Course One Day Before Final Deadline
Federal Government Avoids Worst Shutdown Crisis

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Baek Jong-min] On the 27th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump signed a $2.4 trillion stimulus bill and federal budget. As a result, the United States was able to avoid a temporary federal government shutdown amid the worst COVID-19 crisis.

The White House announced that President Trump signed the two bills that evening. In a separate statement, President Trump emphasized, "My mission is to protect the people from the economic damage caused by the China virus," and added, "I demanded Congress eliminate wasteful spending and pay the people $2,000 instead of $600."

That evening, without prior notice, President Trump left his residence at Mar-a-Lago Resort and headed to Trump International Golf Club. He signed the bills there. It is known that on the 24th, President Trump had also prepared a signing event at this location but changed his mind just before signing. The Washington Post, citing two sources, reported that President Trump frequently changed his stance on signing the bills but decided to sign them one day before the final deadline on the 28th to prevent a shutdown.

President Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the bipartisan bill passed by the U.S. Congress, which provided $600 in cash payments to all citizens, and called for an increase to $2,000, causing controversy.

However, with President Trump signing the budget, the feared temporary shutdown of the U.S. federal government from the 29th has been averted. As the stimulus bill takes effect, additional federal unemployment benefits and eviction moratoriums for those unable to pay rent are expected to be implemented.

Earlier, as the cumulative COVID-19 infections surpassed 19 million, signaling a dire situation, bipartisan U.S. lawmakers urged President Trump to sign the bill amid concerns over his indifference. Bipartisan lawmakers, who laid the groundwork for the stimulus bill agreement by reaching a $900 billion bipartisan stimulus deal, also issued a statement urging President Trump to immediately sign the stimulus bill or exercise his veto.

This was a call for President Trump not to exercise a "pocket veto," which would automatically kill the bill if he did not veto it before the new Congress convenes on the 3rd of next month. If President Trump exercises his veto, Congress can override it through a re-vote.

Republican Representative Pat Toomey warned in an interview with Fox News, "If President Trump does not sign the bill, he will be remembered for chaos, misery, and abnormal behavior." Senator Bernie Sanders from the progressive camp, who supported the $2,000 cash payment, urged signing the bill as is with the $600 payment. He expressed concern, saying, "Considering the current terrible economic crisis, everyone should receive $2,000, but we should not play games with the bill."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.