Trump supports new round of direct coronavirus payments

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he supports a fresh round of government payments to individuals to help m wear coronavirus pandemic but “it has to be done properly.” Trump also said he wants payments larger than $1,200 government sent to most individuals earlier this year. He did t say how big he’d like payments to be. Trump complained about creating disincentives for people to go back to work, but appeared to be confusing direct federal payments with a $600-per-month federal supplement for anyone collecting state unemployment benefits.

$600 monthly federal unemployment benefit runs out at end of July and lawmakers are deciding wher to extend it. Republicans have argued against doing so, saying it created a situation where some people me more money collecting unemployment than y would if y h returned to work.

“We h something where y wanted, where it gave you a disincentive to work last time. And it was still money going to people and helping people so I was all for that,” Trump said during an interview with Fox Business Network. “But we want to create a very great incentive to work. So we’re working on that and I’m sure we’ll all come toger.”  president also said he wants an easier distribution process free of some of glitches that plagued first round.

“I want money getting to people to be larger so y can spend it. I want money to get re quickly and in a n-complicated fashion,” Trump said. In May, Democrats pushed a $3 trillion coronavirus relief bill through House, including almost $1 trillion for state and local governments and ar round of $1,200 direct payments to individuals, along with help for unemployed, renters and homeowners, college debt holders and Postal Service.

Republicans mocked bill as a bloated Democratic wish-list and it was de on arrival in GOP-led Senate. Republicans have said y want to see how $3 trillion in previously approved coronavirus relief is working before authorizing ditional spending. GOP leers also wanted to assess how states were reopening ir ecomies before deciding on a new round of ecomic assistance, but many states are experiencing alarming spikes in coronavirus infections and have delayed or rolled back aspects of ir reopening.

Trump and top Republicans like Senate Majority Leer Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., insist next measure protect businesses that are reopening from liability lawsuits. Democrats oppose that. Trump also wants a payroll tax cut, which Democrats also oppose and some GOP leers do t yet support. On question of a fourth round of assistance, Trump said in May: “Phase Four is going to happen. But it’s going to happen in a much better way for American people.”