Unemployment Benefits Expire For About 14 Million Americans
Updated: Dec 27, 2020
What Happened:
On Sunday, unemployment benefits for about 14 million people expired as President Trump decided to not sign the new $900 Billion COVID-19 Relief Bill that was passed by Congress.
Last week, the President asked Congress to make some amendments to the bill before he would be willing to sign it. Namely, to increase the stimulus checks from $600 per person to at least $2000 per person and to “get rid of the pork” and remove what he considers to be excessive spending, particularly the foreign aid included in the bill.
On Thursday, House Democrats introduced a measure to raise the stimulus checks to $2000 per person, but it was defeated by House GOP members.
House GOP members also introduced a measure on Thursday to cut foreign aid from the bill but it was defeated by House Democrats leading to yet another stalemate in a negotiation that has been ongoing for several months now.
Two major unemployment programs lapsed as the deadline expired at midnight on Sunday morning: the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program and the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program.
House Democrats plan to introduce a standalone bill on Monday to increase the stimulus payments to $2000 per person, but it is considered unlikely to pass the GOP led Senate which has been wary of more spending.
There are more deadlines on the horizon. The government faces a potential shutdown on Monday at midnight as the Covid Relief Bill and massive $1.4 Trillion Government Spending Bill were paired in legislation.
The eviction moratorium protecting many Americans from being forced out of their homes also expires on December 31st.
Developing Story
Photo Source: whitehouse.gov
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