President Trump signed multiple executive measures after Congress failed to pass another coronavirus relief bill.
The president signed a combination of an executive order and memorandums on Saturday which aim to send financial relief to unemployed people in the United States, protect people from evictions, offer student loan relief, and defer payroll tax payments.
Trump, speaking from his golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, declared that each unemployed person will be given $400 weekly. However, that’s $200 less than what the previous benefits provided, which expired in July. Democrats sought to provide the same amount to those who qualify for it.
“The third action I’m taking today will also provide additional support for Americans who are unemployed, due to the China virus. Under the CARES Act I proudly signed, I expanded unemployment benefits into law,” he said.
Through the executive action, he also seeks to suspend payments on some student loans, protect renters from evictions, and allow employers to defer payroll taxes through the end of the year for employees who make less than $100,000. Payroll taxes fund Social Security and Medicare.
“If I’m victorious Nov. 3, I plan to forgive these taxes and make permanent cuts to the payroll tax and to make them more permanent,” Trump said.
The president, in answering questions from the press, noted there is a chance that the Democrats could challenge these orders through the courts. He noted, however, that it may not be a popular decision if it prevents the monetary relief from getting into the hands of the public.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer released a statement Saturday evening which called Trump’s executive actions “unworkable, weak and narrow policy announcements to slash the unemployment benefits that millions desperately need and endanger seniors’ Social Security and Medicare.”
Mark Meadows, the White House chief of staff, shot back at the Democratic leaders a tweet, pinning the blame on them for not reaching a legislative solution.
“Pelosi and Schumer had multiple chances to act. They chose to play politics and say ‘NO,'” he said. “DC Democrats may have turned their backs on American workers, businesses, and schools — but @realDonaldTrump remembers who he works for. He works for YOU. That’s why he chose to act.”
