Trump signs limited executive orders on unemployment
U.S. President Donald Trump signed several executive orders on Saturday after talks on the latest coronavirus stimulus bill failed.
The orders included extending the unemployment bonus at US$400 a week, down from the original US$600 that Americans have been receiving, though he did not say where the money would come from.
Another order would result in a payroll tax “holiday” for those making less than US$100,000 a year and would be in effect from Aug. 1 until the end of 2020. Trump said he would extend the holiday and terminate the tax if re-elected in November.
Trump’s third order would suspend student loan payments through the end of the year and maintain the zero per cent interest period for federal loans, saying the suspension will likely extend into 2021.
The president also extended the federal eviction moratorium, which expired last week, though he did not specify how long the moratorium would last. He said it would apply to renters and homeowners.