Covid-19 crisis: Donald Trump bypasses Congress to halt payroll tax

"Because the Trump plan taps a limited pool of existing funds to extend unemployment benefits at $400 per week, there is a high risk they run short ahead of the election," Husby said

President Donald Trump announced four executive actions, bypassing the Congress, on Saturday, including continued expanded unemployment benefits and a temporary payroll tax deferral for some workers, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to hobble the US economy.

Trump also ordered continued eviction protection and student loan relief.

The moves could jeopardise negotiations with congressional Democrats over an additional coronavirus relief package, with the two sides trillions of dollars apart on key issues, including aid to state governments and the amount of supplementary unemployment benefits. The president, though, said he’d continue to negotiate with Democrats — who said Saturday’s measures “provide little