Trump signs Covid stimulus, $600/person

stimulus

President Trump has signed a massive $2.3 trillion dollar stimulus and spending package despite a surprise veto threat last week, freeing millions of dollars in expected benefits for American Samoa.

KHJ News Washington DC correspondent Matt Kaye reports…

$600-dollar stimulus checks, more jobless aid, PPP and EIDL help for small businesses, fishing industry aid, money for schools and childcare, and funds for vaccine distribution are all now in the pipeline.

House Democrats were trying to boost the $600-dollar checks to $2,000 but the GOP-controlled Senate was not expected to take that up this year.

Congresswoman Aumua Amata Radewagen, earlier…

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And it isn’t.

Residents will receive checks up to $600-each that President Trump wanted increased to $2,000, while dependents will also receive $600.

Jobless aid will be extended through March 14 and the rental eviction ban through January 31.

Forgivable PPP small businesses loans that put some $23 or $24-million into American Samoa’s businesses…and more through EIDL loans…will be renewed.

Millions more will flow to safely reopen schools, vaccine distribution, virus testing, airlines and airports and rural broadband.

There’s $614-million for nutrition help for American Samoa, Puerto Rico and the Northern Marianas, plus $300-million to help the fisheries industry.

The agency spending part of the package has a 3-percent pay raise for the military and boosts ASG operations funding by $500,000 sought by Congresswoman Amata–$3-million above Interior’s request.

American Samoa’s Economic Development Credit, key for the local cannery and fishing jobs is included in a tax extenders bill.