3 years ago
US President Donald Trump has signed law for a coronavirus relief and spending package.
Trump previously refused to sign the bill, criticising "wasteful spending" and calling for higher payouts to people hit by the pandemic.
The delay meant that millions temporarily lost unemployment benefits.
The relief package worth $900bn (£665bn) was approved by Congress after months of negotiation. Bill has part of a $2.3tn spending package that includes $1.4tn for normal federal government expenses.
Republican and Democratic Party lawmakers had been pleading with the president to sign it before a budget deadline of midnight on Monday. If Trump had not signed the law, other government agencies would have had to close, unless legislators could pass a stopgap bill.
About 14 million Americans faced delay in unemployment benefit payments and stimulus cheques. But now unemployment benefits will be reimposed.
After the coronavirus aid relief bill overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives and Senate last Monday, Trump issued an implied veto threat, describing the package as a "disgrace" and full of "wasteful" items.
The bill includes a payment of $600 to Americans earning less than $75,000 a year. Trump said he wanted Americans to receive $2,000 - but Republicans in Congress refused to agree to the change.
Trump also thwarted at the annual aid money for other countries in federal budget, arguing that those funds should instead go to struggling Americans.
