Trump Signs Coronavirus Relief Bill, Government Shutdown Avoided

WASHINGTON, DC — President Donald Trump has signed a $2.3 trillion coronavirus relief and government funding bill that passed in the Senate and House several days ago, according to CNN and others. Trump signed the bill while vacationing in Florida Sunday night, The Washington Post reported.

The bill's passage means a government shutdown that was looming on Tuesday has been averted.

Trump had previously called the bill a "disgrace," suggesting he would refuse to sign it. Congress went into recess over the Christmas holiday without a signed bill, and millions of Americans saw their coronavirus unemployment benefits expire on Saturday.

Now, Americans who were covered by two CARES Act programs that expired on Saturday will continue to get those benefits for another 11 weeks.

Sources for The Post said Trump had changed his mind repeatedly on the matter before coming to a final decision to sign it.