Trump threatens COVID relief, Pelosi urges 'sign the bill' President Donald Trump is threatening to torpedo Congress’ massive pandemic relief package in the midst of a raging pandemic and deep economic uncertaintyWASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump has threatened to torpedo Congress’ massive COVID-19 relief and year-end package, upending a hard-fought compromise in the midst of a raging pandemic and deep economic uncertainty by demanding changes fellow Republicans have opposed. In addition, because lawmakers linked the pandemic relief bill to an overarching funding measure, the government would shut down on Dec. 29. Lawmakers spent months in a stalemate over pandemic relief funds, even as COVID-19 cases soared across the country. Several Senate Republicans, including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, have begun to gingerly break with Trump and acknowledge his defeat to President-elect Joe Biden, a step Trump has refused to take. Shortly after castigating the relief bill, Trump challenged McConnell and Sen. John Thune, the No.

Source: ABC News December 23, 2020 16:52 UTC