Permanent excise tax cuts for brewers and importers was just a signature away.
However, getting pen to paper on the $900 billion economic relief package and a $1.4 trillion government funding bill passed by Congress is now in question after President Donald Trump unexpectedly pushed back against the measures, despite treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin taking part in negotiations and Trump aides signaling that the president would sign off on the bipartisan deal.
Four years of 280-character unpredictability should have been enough warning that anything can happen with the Trump administration — which manifested Tuesday evening in the form of a four-minute video in a wordless Tweet.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 23, 2020
Trump referred to the relief package as “a disgrace,” railing against international aid within the government funding bill while saying not enough money was earmarked for small businesses, in particular, restaurants that have struggled due to on-premise closures during the pandemic.
Trump also called on Congress to amend the bill to increase the one-time payment of $600 to individuals making less than $75,000 annually to $2,000, or $4,000 for couples.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi seized upon Trump’s call for increased payments to Americans, saying House Democrats “are ready to bring this to the Floor this week by unanimous consent. Let’s do it!”
Republicans repeatedly refused to say what amount the President wanted for direct checks. At last, the President has agreed to $2,000 — Democrats are ready to bring this to the Floor this week by unanimous consent. Let’s do it! https://t.co/Th4sztrpLV
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 23, 2020
Pelosi on Wednesday also called on House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to agree to a vote, which could happen as soon as Thursday, if agreed upon.
“If the President truly wants to join us in $2,000 payments, he should call upon Leader McCarthy to agree to our Unanimous Consent request,” Pelosi said in a statement. “We are scheduled to go in for a pro forma session tomorrow at 9 a.m. We are awaiting word from Leader [Steny] Hoyer as to whether Leader McCarthy will agree to or reject our Unanimous Consent request The entire country knows that it is urgent for the President to sign this bill, both to provide the coronavirus relief and to keep government open.”
The lack of signature from Trump delays much needed relief for the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs during the pandemic and struggled to pay their bills, many facing evictions. The move also raises the specter of a government shutdown on December 28.
Nevertheless, the overwhelming support for the legislation in the House and Senate provides a veto-proof majority should Trump veto the package. However, “veto” was a word not uttered during Trump’s Tuesday evening video.
Passage of the legislation would provide much needed certainty for brewers and importers. Language from the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act that would make the temporary cuts in the federal excise tax on alcohol production permanent is included in the measure. Those cuts are slated to expire at the end of the year.
Also included in the package is funding for loan programs such as the Paycheck Protection Program that have proven to be lifelines to small businesses.