Trump hints at MORE coronavirus stimulus aid after $2.2tn bill as he prioritizes ‘life, safety, and then the economy’
PRESIDENT Trump has hinted at more coronavirus stimulus aid after signing a $2.2trillion rescue bill as he prioritizes “life, safety, and then the economy”. Trump made his priorities clear in a press briefing on Friday, listing the life and safety of Americans before the economy. “Life and safety and then the economy … Life and […]
PRESIDENT Trump has hinted at more coronavirus stimulus aid after signing a $2.2trillion rescue bill as he prioritizes “life, safety, and then the economy”.
Trump made his priorities clear in a press briefing on Friday, listing the life and safety of Americans before the economy.
“Life and safety and then the economy … Life and safety,” Trump told reporters.
“It’s life and safety, and it’s our country, but we have to take care of people the same time we want to get them out. They want to get out. Our country was built on that. But, we have to make sure it’s safe,” he added.
Trump acknowledged the anticipation felt by Americans to get out of their homes and back to their normal routines, but stressed the importance taking the coronavirus seriously.
He also said he would meet advisers early next week to discuss the next steps in fighting the coronavirus and the possibility of opening the U.S. economy, promising the United States would produce 100,000 ventilators in 100 days.
$2.2TRILLION RESCUE BILL
President Donald Trump signed an unprecedented $2.2 trillion economic rescue package into law Friday, after swift and near-unanimous action by Congress to support businesses, rush resources to overburdened health care providers and help struggling families during the deepening coronavirus epidemic.
Acting with unity and resolve unseen since the 9/11 attacks, Washington moved urgently to stem an economic free fall caused by widespread restrictions meant to slow the spread of the virus that have shuttered schools, closed businesses and brought American life in many places to a virtual standstill.
“This will deliver urgently needed relief,” Trump said as he signed the bill in the Oval Office, flanked only by Republican lawmakers.
He thanked members of both parties for “putting Americans first.”
Earlier Friday, the House gave near-unanimous approval by voice vote after an impassioned session conducted along the social distancing guidelines imposed by the crisis.
Many lawmakers sped to Washington to participate their numbers swollen after a maverick Republican signaled he’d try to force a roll call vote though dozens of others remained safely in their home districts.
The Senate passed the bill unanimously late Wednesday.
“Today we’ve all acknowledged our nation faces an economic and health emergency of historic proportions”, said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
She said Americans deserve a full-on government response to address these threats to their lives and their livelihood and they need it now.
The $2.2 trillion legislation will speed government payments of $1,200 to most Americans and increase jobless benefits for millions of people thrown out of work.
Businesses big and small will get loans, grants and tax breaks.
It will send unprecedented billions to states and local governments, and the nation’s all but overwhelmed health care system.
This is not a time for cynicism or invective or second-guessing,” said GOP Whip Liz Cheney of Wyoming.
“This is a time to remember that we are citizens of the greatest nation on Earth, that we have overcome every challenge we have faced, and we will overcome this one.”
US coronavirus cases passed 100,000 on Friday as total deaths reached more than 1,500 -driven by soaring infections in New York City and other hotspots.
The grim tally – reported by Johns Hopkins University – came a day after the United States became the world’s number one country for total coronavirus infections.
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