Trump urges Congress to pass a large economic stimulus package

The still president of the United States, Donald Trump, has urged Congress on Saturday to approve a new stimulus package for the big and focused economy to slow the deterioration caused by the pandemic. Besides, negotiations between Democrats and Republicans have stagnated.

Congress must now do a Covid Relief Bill. Needs Democrats support. Make it big and focused. Get it done! Trump wrote on Twitter.

These are Trump’s first words regarding the talks to approve a new stimulus package. A week ago Democrat Joe Biden became the winner in the presidential elections on November 3. For the moment, Trump has not recognized his electoral defeat and has accused, without proof, that there has been a fraud. He tweeted that Biden won the election because it was rigged. He stated that no observers were allowed, the vote was counted by the radical leftist organization with a bad reputation and low-quality equipment. Besides, during Saturday, thousands of his Trump supporters gathered in Washington, DC, to protest the results. At least 20 people were arrested after clashes between pro-Trump groups and counter-protesters. 

Before the elections, the now outgoing president had made calls on several occasions to reach an agreement with the Democrats in Congress to agree to a new bailout of the economy, after the one approved last March worth 2.2 trillion dollars, the largest in US history.

Negotiating for a stimulus plan

The White House had been negotiating with progressives for months. However, negotiations came to a standstill before the elections and have not resumed yet. According to local media, if it continues, Mitch McConnell would lead the talks. The leader of the Republican majority in the Senate has not recognized the victory of Biden yet. On Thursday McConnell rejected Democrats’ requests for a deal on a massive aid package.

Republicans are advocating the passage of a limited bailout. It is similar to the $500 billion stimulus plan put forward by conservatives that was blocked in September and October by Democrats in the Senate.

The Republican proposal contemplates financing for small businesses and public health. Still, it does not collect funds for local governments or direct deposits to citizens, as did the bailout approved in March.

Progressives, for their part, are seeking a larger aid package that includes new unemployment benefits, the second round of tests to citizens, and assistance to state and local governments, among others.