Donald Trump Signs Executive Orders on Student Loans, Unemployment, Payroll Tax Cuts After Negotiations Fail

Donald Trump signed a set of executive orders Saturday in response to the breakdown of Congressional negotiations on a second stimulus package Friday. The signing came after a long rambling introduction that acted as more of a campaign speech, cheered on by paying members of his Bedminster Country Club in New Jersey. Trump attacked Joe Biden, China, Democratic leadership, and anybody who has been standing in his way.

Apart from signing the executive orders, Trump did little to confirm when people can expect the orders to go into effect, but he did share a lot of bluster about what he felt he was doing and how his opponents, including Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, were “obstructing” getting relief to people.

Trump incorrectly referred to his executive orders as “bills,” which are only passed by an act of Congress. He also called his payroll tax cut a “tax holiday” that he may extend into 2021, especially if he’s re-elected. Both parties opposed a payroll tax cut, noting it would do nothing to help those unemployed and put Medicare and Social Security at risk.

The payroll cut was the fourth in the group of executive orders. The central executive order focused on the unemployment bonus that expired at the end of July. But instead of $600, which CNN notes may have been a technical necessity with the first stimulus, Trump decided on $400. He called the lower amount an incentive to go back to work, continuing to spread the talking points of GOP members of Congress.

His final points focused on relief for student loan borrowers and protection against evictions, claiming the media hasn’t covered evictions despite evidence to the contrary.

Scroll down to take a more in-depth look at the executive orders, and some of the reactions people are sharing.

Unemployment Payment

Several additional caveats join the extra $400 benefit covered in the first executive order for the state’s responses and allocation of funds. What is sort of hidden within, though, is the federal government will pay 75% or $300 of the unemployment benefit, while the rest is to be covered by the states.

“In exercising this authority, the Secretary, acting through the FEMA Administrator, shall, subject to the limitations above, approve a lost wages assistance program that authorizes the Governor to provide a $400 payment per week, which shall reflect a $300 Federal contribution, to eligible claimants from the week of unemployment ending August 1, 2020,” the order reads.

Payroll Tax

The order concerning the payroll tax includes some jabs at China and their role in the coronavirus spread, using it to make an emergency declaration in response. Once that is out of the way, the order states the payroll holiday will begin September 1, 2020, and stay through December 31, 2020.

“The deferral shall be made available with respect to any employee the amount of whose wages or compensation, as applicable, payable during any bi-weekly pay period generally is less than $4,000, calculated on a pre-tax basis, or the equivalent amount with respect to other pay periods.”

Eviction Protections

The expiration of the moratorium on evictions hit many people hard and Trump’s third order claims to take care of that. It claims to extend the temporary halt, relieve financial burdens on renters and homeowners.

“With the failure of the Congress to act, my Administration must do all that it can to help vulnerable populations stay in their homes in the midst of this pandemic.  Those who are dislocated from their homes may be unable to shelter in place and may have more difficulty maintaining a routine of social distancing.  They will have to find alternative living arrangements, which may include a homeless shelter or a crowded family home and may also require traveling to other States.

“In addition, evictions tend to disproportionately affect minorities, particularly African Americans and Latinos.  Unlike the Congress, I cannot sit idly and refuse to assist vulnerable Americans in need.  Under my Administration, minorities achieved the lowest unemployment rates on record, and we will not let COVID-19 erase these gains by causing short-term dislocations that could well have long-term consequences,” the order reads.

Student Loans

Trump is also extending the waiver for student loan interest for federal borrowers. The executive order claims to cover the loans through the end of the year and will still allow those who want to make payments free to do so.

“In light of the national emergency declared on March 13, 2020, the Secretary of Education shall take action pursuant to applicable law to effectuate appropriate waivers of and modifications to the requirements and conditions of economic hardship deferments described in section 455(f)(2)(D) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, 20 U.S.C. 1087e(f)(2)(D), and provide such deferments to borrowers as necessary to continue the temporary cessation of payments and the waiver of all interest on student loans held by the Department of Education until December 31, 2020,” the order states.

Falsehoods

Throughout his press conference, Trump blatantly shared many falsehoods in between propping up the job he has done as president. This did not include any mention of the coronavirus death toll, the rising numbers across the United States, any plan for those returning to work or returning to schools and his decision to not mandate masks despite evidence and urging from experts.

He blamed China for spreading the virus, even seemingly insinuating that it was spread intentionally. This was echoed in the official language in the executive orders as well.

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