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Washington (AP) - Millions of Americans lost their right to unemployment benefits at the weekend because the incumbent US President Donald Trump has so far blocked an economic stimulus package.
The package of measures decided by both parties in Congress, worth around 900 billion US dollars (about 740 billion euros), provides for, among other things, the payment of higher unemployment benefits until March and the extension of existing benefits.
The elected US President Joe Biden said it was irresponsible that "millions of families" immediately after Christmas because of Trump's refusal to "know whether they will make ends meet".
Trump's irresponsible actions will have "devastating consequences" for the country amid the Corona crisis, warned Biden.
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The stimulus package stipulates that most citizens will receive a one-off aid payment of 600 dollars.
However, Trump is calling for, among other things, an increase in the payment to $ 2,000 per capita and has therefore so far refused to put the law into force with his signature.
Trump's Republicans in the House of Representatives opposed such an increase on Thursday.
There shouldn't be a majority in the Senate either.
"Republicans must stop playing games while Americans are starving," said Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren on Twitter.
As a result of the Corona crisis, around 20.4 million people in the USA recently received some form of unemployment benefit, almost 19 million more than at the same time in 2019. Due to different programs and deadlines, estimates assume that the aid will now be available for around ten to twelve Millions of recipients have expired.
However, should a new legal regulation come into force at a later date, most of them should receive support again.
Unemployment benefits in the USA are usually relatively low and limited in time.
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Despite the expiry of certain corona aid, Trump formally has until the beginning of January to put the legislative package into force with his signature or to veto.
With the economic stimulus package lashed down in tough negotiations, part of the federal government's budget of around 1.4 trillion dollars was passed.
A law on the interim financing of the business will expire on Monday.
If Trump does not sign the legislative package by then, the government would have to suspend its business on Tuesday, it would lead to a so-called shutdown.
Congress could only avert such a standstill by resolving further bridge funding.
"In just a few days, the government's funding will run out, putting important services and salaries for the military at risk," warned Biden.
The Democrat promised to campaign for another stimulus package from his inauguration on January 20 to contain the pandemic and stimulate the economy.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 201227-99-824730 / 2