S onWednesdayfacetheprospectof a yearandgovernmentshutdownontopof a ragingpandemicafteroutgoingPresidentDonaldTrumpthreatenednottosign a $2.3 trillionpackagethatincludesgovernmentfundingandcoronavirusaidforAmericans.
In a videopostedtoSocialmediaonTuesdayevening, Trumpsurprisedsomeofhisclosestofficialsbydemandingthatthebillberevisedtoinclude $2000 paymentstoeacheligibleAmericanmorethantripledthe $600 perpersonincludedinthebill.
I'm askingCongresstoamendthisbillandincreasetheridiculouslylow $600 to $2000 or $4000 for a couple.
CurrentfederalfundingisalsoduetoexpirethisMonday.
IfTrumpdoesnotsignthebillintolaw, thatwouldfurloughmillionsoffederalworkersandshutdownwideswathsofthegovernmentat a timewhenitisrushingtodistributetocoronavirusvaccinesandcontendwith a massivehackthatofficialssaywasperpetratedbyRussia.
I'm alsoaskingCongresstoimmediatelygetridofthewastefulandunnecessaryitemsfromthislegislationandtosendme a suitablebillorelsethenextadministrationwillhavetodeliver a covertreliefpackage.