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Donald Trump signed a COVID relief and spending bill, which restores unemployment benefits for millions of Americans and prevents a partial federal government shutdown.
Congress approved the $ 2.3 trillion (£ 1.7 trillion) pandemic aid and spending package last week and the White House was understood to be happy with its contents.
But then Mr. Trump threatened to block it, saying he wanted to increase one-time payments to struggling Americans from $ 600 (£ 442) each to $ 2,000 (£ 1,475).
Most had been rejected by his fellow Republicans.
Trump, who leaves office on January 20, backed down Sunday night under intense pressure from both sides of the political spectrum.
In a statement regarding the signing of the bill, Trump complained about what he considered “wasteful spending.”
He said: “I will sign the Omnibus and COVID package with a strong message that makes it clear to Congress that wasteful items must be removed.”
However, these notes would only be suggestions to Congress, and the signed bill will not necessarily be changed.
Trump also said that the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives planned to vote Monday to increase the one-time payments and that the Senate would “begin the process” to pass them.
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the president needed to encourage Republicans to “end their obstruction” and support raising payments to $ 2,000.
COVID-19 has killed more than 333,000 people in the United States, infected nearly 20 million, and left millions more out of work.
The signing of the bill will mean that unemployment benefits that are being paid to some 14 million people through pandemic programs will resume, having expired on Saturday.
The bill includes $ 1.4 trillion (£ 1.03 trillion) to fund government agencies through September, as well as other priorities such as money for distressed transit systems and an increase in food stamp benefits.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said: “The compromise bill is not perfect, but it will do a lot of good for the people of Kentucky (his home state) and the Americans across the country who need help now. “.
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