The fourth relief package aimed at helping Americans handle the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic was quickly approved by Congress Monday night, according to a report from the Associated Press, but President Trump has threatened to veto it. The relief package would provide up to $600 in direct payments to individuals and is part of a $900 billion pandemic relief bill attached to a $1.4 trillion year-end catchall spending bill. However, in threatening to veto it, Trump called for more direct aid to Americans affected by the pandemic.
The package also would establish a temporary $300 per week supplemental jobless benefit, subsidies for hard-hit businesses, restaurants, and theaters, and money for schools, health care providers, and renters facing eviction. All six of Wisconsin’s Republican Congressional leaders voted against the relief package, but the bill passed the Senate in a 92–6 vote and passed the House with a 359–53 vote.
In announcing his veto threat, Trump called for a $2,000 direct payment to individual Americans and $4,000 for couples.
