WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - President Donald Trump signed a $900 billion pandemic relief package Sunday evening, ending days of his refusal to accept the bipartisan deal that will deliver cash to businesses and individuals and avert a federal government shutdown.
The bill includes $1.4 trillion to fund government agencies through September and contains other end-of-session priorities such as money for transit systems and an increase in food stamp benefits.
The signing came after a day of vocal criticism from Republicans and Democrats over his objections to the bipartisan agreement, which passed the House and Senate by large margins with lawmakers believing they had Trump's support. His eleventh-hour demands, including a push for larger relief checks and scaled-back spending, blindsided members of both parties.
Signing the bill into law ends a standoff with his own party during the final days of his administration.
In a statement, Trump repeated his frustrations with the COVID-19 relief bill for providing only $600 checks to most Americans instead of the $2,000 his fellow Republicans rejected. He voiced disapproval with what he considered unnecessary spending by the government at large.
"I will sign the Omnibus and Covid package with a strong message that makes clear to Congress that wasteful items need to be removed," Trump said in the statement.
While the president said he would send Congress "a redlined version" with items to be removed under the rescission process, those are merely suggestions to Congress. The bill, as signed, would not necessarily be changed.
Lawmakers are now able to continue debating whether the relief checks should be as large as the president has demanded. The Democratic-led House supports the larger checks and is set to vote on the issue today, but it's expected to be ignored by the Republican-held Senate where spending faces opposition. For now, the administration can only begin work sending out the $600 payments.
Republicans and Democrats welcomed Trump's decision to sign the bill into law.
"The compromise bill is not perfect, but it will do an enormous amount of good for struggling Kentuckians and Americans across the country who need help now," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. "I thank the President for signing this relief into law."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called the signing "welcome news for the 14 million Americans who just lost the lifeline of unemployment benefits on Christmas weekend, and for the millions more struggling to stay afloat during this historic pandemic and economic crisis."
However, others slammed Trump's delay in turning the bill into law. In a tweet, Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., accused Trump of having "played Russian roulette with American lives. A familiar and comfortable place for him."
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he would offer Trump's proposal for $2,000 checks for a vote in the Senate - putting Republicans on the spot.
"The House will pass a bill to give Americans $2,000 checks. Then I will move to pass it in the Senate," Schumer tweeted. "No Democrats will object. Will Senate Republicans?"
Democrats are promising more aid to come once President- elect Joe Biden takes office, but Republicans are signaling a wait-and-see approach.
In the face of growing economic hardship, spreading disease and a looming shutdown, lawmakers Sunday urged Trump to sign the legislation immediately, then have Congress follow up with additional aid. Aside from unemployment benefits and relief payments to families, money for vaccine distribution, businesses and more was on the line. Protections against evictions also hung in the balance.
"What the president is doing right now is unbelievably cruel," said Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. "So many people are hurting. It is really insane and this president has got to finally do the right thing for the American people and stop worrying about his ego."
Republican Sen. Pat Toomey, of Pennsylvania, said he understood Trump "wants to be remembered for advocating for big checks, but the danger is he'll be remembered for chaos and misery and erratic behavior if he allows this to expire.
"So I think the best thing to do, as I said, sign this and then make the case for subsequent legislation."
The same point was echoed by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican: "I just gave up guessing what he might do next."
Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger, of Illinois, said too much is at stake for Trump to "play this old switcheroo game."
"I don't get the point," he said. "I don't understand what's being done, why, unless it's just to create chaos and show power and be upset because you lost the election."