Joe Biden signs $1.9tn US coronavirus relief bill into law

Joe Biden participates in a bill signing in the Oval Office on Thursday
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President Joe Biden has signed into law the $1.9 trillion relief package that he said will help the US defeat coronavirus and nurse the economy back to health.

The signing came hours before the US leader delivers his first prime-time address since taking office.

"This historic legislation is about rebuilding the backbone of this country," he said as he signed the bill in the Oval Office.

President Biden originally planned to sign the bill on Friday, but it arrived at the White House more quickly than anticipated.

"We want to move as fast as possible," tweeted White House chief of staff Ron Klain. He added, "We will hold our celebration of the signing on Friday, as planned, with congressional leaders!"

Previewing his remarks, President Biden said he would "talk about what we've been through as a nation this past year, but more importantly, I'm going to talk about what comes next".

His challenge will be to honour the sacrifices made by Americans over the last year while encouraging them to remain vigilant despite "virus fatigue”.

Speaking on the one-year anniversary of the World Health Organisation's declaration of a pandemic, he will mourn the dead, but also project optimism about the future.

Mr Biden's evening remarks in the East Room are central to a pivotal week for him as he addresses the defining challenge of his term: the economic and health storms sparked by coronavirus.

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