Millions Face Loss of Jobless Benefits as Trump Withholds Signature on Relief Bill

Jobless benefits that were expanded for millions of Americans earlier this year in response to the coronavirus pandemic ran out on Saturday, as President Trump renewed his criticism of a recently passed $900 billion relief package that includes an extension of federal unemployment assistance.

Trump caught Washington by surprise this week with his criticism of the relief bill, which includes a $300-per-week supplement to state jobless benefits for those who are unemployed because of the pandemic. The relief package passed Congress with bipartisan support on Monday following months of negotiations, but on Tuesday, the president deemed the measure a "disgrace."

Trump's main point of contention with the bipartisan bill — which was negotiated in part by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin — is the size of payouts allotted for individuals. The bill includes direct stimulus checks of as much as $600 for Americans who meet certain income thresholds, but Trump has insisted that amount was too little. He is demanding Americans receive a check for $2,000 instead.

"I simply want to get our great people $2000, rather than the measly $600 that is now in the bill. Also, stop the billions of dollars in 'pork,' " the president tweeted Saturday.

Trump left Washington this week without signing the measure, though the legislation was sent to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. From there, the president continued to assail the bill throughout the Christmas holiday and into the weekend.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday, "This Christmas Eve morning, House Republicans cruelly deprived the American people of the $2,000 checks Trump agreed to support. On Monday, the House will hold a vote on our stand-alone bill to increase the economic impact payments to $2,000."

Read the full story at NPR, here.

This story, which was originally published before benefits ran out, has been updated after Saturday to reflect the expiration of benefits. 

—Jason Slotkin, NPR, KQED Staff