First modification:
US President Joe Biden signed two executive orders to mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic on the country. In his speech, the head of the White House highlighted the need to “act now” and stated that Covid-19 could kill at least 600,000 people in the United States.
“Much of America is suffering. The virus is increasing … Families are starving. People are at risk of being evicted. Job losses are increasing again. We need to act. No matter how you look at it, we need to act. “, Biden said prior to the signing of two executive orders that provide measures to mitigate the crisis derived from the pandemic.
The orders, signed this Friday, January 22, will be established provisionally while the country’s Congress debates on a stimulus plan valued at 1.9 trillion dollars proposed by the president.
Biden has already said that some of his officials are beginning to organize meetings with lawmakers to discuss the proposal.
“I am anxious to work with members of Congress, from both parties, to carry out the first part of this plan (…) Then the second stage will come, of economic reactivation, in which we will make large investments in infrastructure,” he said Biden.
Two objectives: food and employment
The measures focus on two main goals: guaranteeing food for Americans and protecting jobs and workers. “We are talking about lifting 12 million people out of poverty and cutting child poverty in half,” added the president.
In this sense, Biden promoted the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which is aimed at guaranteeing the nutrition of Americans, especially that of minors who are of school age.
On the other hand, he asked the Department of Agriculture to consider a mechanism whereby low-income households are eligible for the emergency benefits of the program. He also asked this body to update the formula on the cost per person to maintain a healthy diet.
In addition, the head of the White House asked the Treasury Department to establish tools that allow beneficiaries to access direct payments of aid packages for Covid-19.
Biden and his plan to defend American workers
According to the Department of Labor, last week 900,000 Americans accessed unemployment benefits offered by the State.
“These 900,000 people join millions of citizens who, through no fault of their own, have lost the respect and dignity that comes from having a job and a salary,” added the president.
Hardworking Americans need help and they need it now. That’s why today, I took action to provide relief to those who are struggling across the country.
– President Biden (@POTUS) January 22, 2021
In this sense, Biden affirmed that it is necessary to protect the employment and resources of workers who are being threatened by being evicted from their homes. His proposal promotes the minimum wage of $ 15 a day for federal workers. Additionally, he announced that he gave instructions to stop the evictions.
Joe Biden: “The virus is rebounding”
During his speech, Biden reaffirmed his commitment to vaccinate 100 million people in his first 100 days in office “and hopefully we can do more,” he added.
On the other hand, he did not hide his concern about the increase in cases in the country. “The virus is rebounding, we have already added 400,000 deaths but could be more, 600,000,” said the president.
The United States is the country with the most infected people and with the most fatalities in the world. In total, almost 24.8 million people contracted Covid-19, more than 415,000 have lost their lives.
With Reuters, AFP and AP
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