Days after threatening to block the Covid relief, US President on Sunday signed into law the $2.3 trillion pandemic aid and spending package. The package will restore unemployment benefits to millions of Americans. Trump, who leaves office on Jan. 20 after losing November’s election to President-elect Joe Biden, backed down after he came under intense pressure from lawmakers on both sides. The Republican president had demanded that Congress change the bill to increase the payouts to struggling Americans to $2,000 from $600.
Unemployment benefits being paid out to about 14 million people through pandemic programs lapsed on Saturday, but will be restarted now that Trump has signed the bill.