Donald Trump signs $900 billion coronavirus relief bill

After days of delay, Donald trump-president of the United States—finally signs off on a coronavirus stimulus package, which would see people getting $600 checks, a marked reduction from the first stimulus package that saw people receiving $1200 checks. 

 The delay was caused by the president’s refusal to sign a bill that he called “an unsuitable disgrace,” demanding lawmakers raise the second stimulus checks to $2000 per person instead of the proposed $600. He added in a statement that the senate would also “start the process for a vote that increases checks to $2,000.”

Congress divided over $900 billion stimulus Package

 But this might prove impossible, as the Democrats and Republicans are divided on the stimulus package, with most republican majority leaders. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, in a later statement that day, made no mention of plans to consider this legislation, should the House succeed in passing it. 

Americans that are eligible for a new stimulus package

 The second stimulus bill was passed after months of failed negotiations and political feuding. But not everyone is eligible for the stimulus package. Those qualifying for the maximum stimulus payment include individuals earning up to $75,000 in adjusted gross income, or $112,500 as head of household and $150,000 as a married couple filing jointly.

 Even with the reduced amount, the stimulus check is good news, as millions of Americans have lost their jobs due to the recent coronavirus epidemic. Economists still argue that after nine months of waiting, the proposed amount is not enough to cover necessities such as food, housing, and passed bills many families owe this year. 

 “People are facing evictions, utility disconnections, and continued struggles in the labor market dealing with the virus,” said Olugbenga Ajilore, a senior economist at a left-leaning think tank. He added that even though a $600 stimulus check is “better than nothing,” it is very insufficient.