US unemployment benefits for millions in limbo as midnight deadline for Donald Trump to sign relief bill passes

Unemployment benefits for millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet have lapsed after President Donald Trump failed to sign an end-of-year COVID-19 relief and spending bill that had been considered a done deal before his sudden objections. Key points: A partial government shutdown could begin on Tuesday Mr Trump insists the bill's plan to provide $US600 COVID relief checks should be raised to $US2,000 Many economists agree the bill's aid is too low but say the immediate support is necessary Mr Trump stunned Republicans and Democrats alike when he said this week he was unhappy with the US$2.3 trillion pandemic aid and spending package, which provides $892 billion in badly needed coronavirus relief, including extending special unemployment benefits expiring on December 26, and $US1.4 trillion for normal government spending. Without Mr Trump's signature on the bill by midnight Saturday night, about 14 million people will lose those extra benefits, according to Labor Department data. "I simply want to get our great people $2000, rather than the measly $600 that is now in the bill," Mr Trump tweeted Saturday from Palm Beach, where he is spending the holiday. President-elect Joe Biden called on Mr Trump to sign the bill as two federal programs providing unemployment aid were set to expire Saturday.