NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — President Trump announced Tuesday afternoon he’s telling White House staff to stop negotiating toward a new COVID-19 stimulus bill until after the election.
Like many Tennesseans, Michael Castor has adopted a new way of life since March.
"You learn not to spend money, and hope," said Castor. "My credit card debt is running up, that’s the life of an unemployed person in America today."
He used to drive for Uber, but since tourism dropped off, he’s been getting by on the state’s unemployment benefits - without the $600 a week federal benefit that expired this summer.
In announcing a pause in negotiations for the federal stimulus package that would likely include more unemployment benefits, President Trump said Democrats are asking for too much money to bail out what he calls Poorly Run, High Crime Democrat States.
But Castor says Tennessee is also to blame, for using some of the money to fund things other than unemployment.
For now, Castor is hoping for a deal - one that may now come only after Election Day.
