#Trump ‘ready to send’ stimulus checks, agrees to back state aid

President Trump on Friday said he would sign a coronavirus relief bill with state and local aid — and that he wants stimulus checks quickly distributed.

“I am ready to send more money to States and Local governments to save jobs for Police, Fire Fighters, First Responders, and Teachers. DEMOCRATS ARE HOLDING THIS UP!” Trump wrote.

In another tweet, he wrote that he directed Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin “to get ready to send direct payments ($3,400 for family of four) to all Americans.”

The tweet on state and local aid may represent a breakthrough. Trump has repeatedly said he’s concerned that funds for state and local governments would be a “bailout” for “poorly run” Democratic governments.

Talks on legislation broke off last week over disagreement on the size of a package, and how money would be spent.

Democrats initially pushed for $3.4 trillion with almost $1 trillion in state and local aid, which Republicans largely oppose. Republicans preferred a $1 trillion package with a business liability waiver that Democrats oppose.

The clash means some broadly bipartisan ideas, such as another round of $1,200-per-individual stimulus checks and more than $100 billion in funds to help schools safely reopen in the fall remain in flux.

Last week, Democratic leaders floated a compromise of about $2 trillion, though details were vague.

The impasse in Congress resulted in the expiration of federal eviction protections for an estimated 23 million people and a $600 weekly unemployment supplement.

Trump on Saturday signed four pandemic relief orders to revive the federal eviction moratorium, extend student loan deferment, create a $400 weekly unemployment supplement and suspend some taxes on income under $104,000.