Trump signs $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill

By

Amee LaTour
Ballotpedia's Daily Presidential News Briefing
March 30, 2020: Trump signed a $2 trillion coronavirus relief package. Biden and Sanders said they support a moratorium on rent payments for some tenants amid the outbreak. blank    blank

Ballotpedia is monitoring changes made to election dates and procedures in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Here are the presidential primary updates you need to know:

  • New York: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) postponed the state’s presidential preference primary from April 23 to June 23.

  • Ohio: Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed HB 197 into law, rescheduling the state’s March 17 primary for April 28.

  • Pennsylvania: Gov. Tom Wolf (D) signed legislation postponing the state’s primary from April 28 to June 2.

What is the highest number of rounds of balloting in presidential convention history?

Notable Quote of the Day

“If they decide to make a fourth sequel to Jaws, there are a few elected officials seemingly trying out for the part of the Amity Island mayor who wouldn’t close the island’s beaches on Fourth of July weekend, fearful of hurting those depending upon tourists from the mainland.

But anyone who loses a loved one because of a resurgence in the coronavirus this fall is not likely to accept excuses that economic activity was more important than a life lost.

These are decisions that I wouldn’t want to make.”

– Charlie Cook, The Cook Political Report

Democrats

  • Joe Biden participated in a CNN town hall Friday, where he discussed support for a three-month rent freeze, possibly with conditions, and for the government to cover all healthcare costs related to coronavirus. Dozens of Hawaii and Wisconsin Democrats endorsed Biden, including former Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle and Hawaii state Senate President Ron Kouchi. Biden’s campaign also responded to sexual assault allegations a former Senate staffer made. Deputy Campaign Manager and Communications Director Kate Bedingfield said, “Women have the right to tell their story, and reporters have an obligation to rigorously vet those claims.” She said that “these accusations are false.”

  • Bernie Sanders tweeted that “we must place a moratorium on rent payments, especially in states hardest-hit by the coronavirus like New York.” He said he supports New York state Sen. Mike Gianaris’ bill to place a moratorium on rent payments for those whose paychecks have been reduced or eliminated amid the coronavirus. Sanders also co-signed a letter with Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and 12 other representatives to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos asking what the company is doing to protect employees from exposure to the coronavirus.

Republicans

  • Donald Trump signed a $2 trillion coronavirus relief package and invoked the Defense Production Act in ordering General Motors to increase its production of ventilators. Trump also requested that the Centers for Disease Control issue a travel advisory urging residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut not to travel domestically for 14 days unless necessary due to the spread of coronavirus in these states. The CDC issued the advisory Saturday.

Flashback: March 30, 2016

The National Border Patrol Council endorsed Trump in the Republican presidential primary. The group said in a statement, “The NBPC has had a longstanding practice of not endorsing presidential candidates in the primaries. We will not, however, shy away from voicing our opinions as it pertains to border security and the men and women of the United States Border Patrol. As such, we are breaking with our past practice and giving our first-ever endorsement in a presidential primary.”

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