Trump Orders $400 Boost to Jobless Benefits
President Donald Trump signed an executive action Saturday to extend the enhanced jobless benefit at a lower amount of $400.
Extending jobless benefits is just one of the four executive actions signed by Trump. They aim to deliver relief to Americans who are struggling with the coronavirus pandemic's impact on the economy, reported Fox News.
According to CNN, the other three actions Trump signed include payroll tax cut for those earning less than $100,000 yearly, an extension of the eviction moratorium, and delay of student loan payments.
The CARES Act gave a sure $600 in federal weekly jobless benefit, and it ended on July 31. There are no replacements or extensions yet to take its place, CNET said.
"I'm taking action to provide an additional, or an extra, $400 per week in expanded benefits," Trump said in a press conference. He said states would be asked to cover a quarter of the costs using funding, such as the "tens of billions of dollars" available to them through the relief fund.
Under this plan, Trump said states would be able to give better benefits to their residents if they choose to, and the government will cover 75% of the costs.
This means, of the $400 as a jobless benefit, $300 will be from the federal government, and $100 will come from the state.
Since governors will have to pay for that $100, it is not clear how many of the jobless will receive the full $400 benefit.
Trump signed the executive actions from his golf club in New Jersey, as club members cheered him on.
What made Trump sign the executive actions?
Trump said he decided to act on his own. He ordered the benefits after the collapse between Congress Democrats and White House negotiators.
Two weeks of talks have already taken place on the new coronavirus relief package, but there is still no bill that had been agreed upon, reported USA Today.
"We've had it. We're going to save American jobs and provide relief to the American worker," he said.
Trump also accused Democrats of stonewalling the aid efforts, driving him to take matters into his own hands.
The $400 boost is more than what many Republicans in congress want. Some were against any extension at all, while others sought an increase no more than $200.
Democrats, on the other hand, have been fighting for a full extension with $600 pay weekly, plus jobless benefits.
In response to Trump's Executive Actions
A joint statement was released by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer Saturday evening, in response to the actions signed by Trump.
They both called on Republicans to push through with further talks on the relief bill.
They said the actions reflect a lack of understanding of the "seriousness or the urgency of the health and economic crises facing working families."
Pelosi and Schumer pointed out that while eviction moratorium was extended, it does not help people pay the rent. This puts them at risk of a higher debt pile.
There are also questions as to whether the president is allowed to take these actions into play. Congress has the sole power to decide on federal funding, as stated in the law.
Want to read more? Take a look at these!
Talks on Virus Aid Collapse; Jobless to Lose $600 Extra Benefit
Next COVID-19 Relief Package: Stimulus Checks for Undocumented Immigrants May Be Possible
Next Stimulus Package: Here's All the Benefits You Could Receive If Congress Makes a Deal
Subscribe to Latin Post!
Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage!