US President-elect Joe Biden speaks at the Queen theater on December 22, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware. (AFP photo)

US President-elect Joe Biden is highlighting the abdication of responsibility by outgoing President Donald Trump in efforts to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.

The former Vice President issued a statement Saturday, pressing Trump to sign a coronavirus relief bill that is currently stuck in limbo.

It is the day after Christmas, and millions of families don’t know if they’ll be able to make ends meet because of President Donald Trump’s refusal to sign an economic relief bill approved by Congress with an overwhelming and bipartisan majority, said the Democratic winner of the 2020 presidential election. This abdication of responsibility has devastating consequences.

Trump has so far refused to back the effort, reportedly involving provisions for small businesses and extended unemployment benefits as well as stimulus checks.

This bill is critical. It needs to be signed into law now. But it is also a first step and down payment on more action that we’ll need to take early in the new year to revive the economy and contain the pandemic - including meeting the dire need for funding to distribute and administer the vaccine and to increase our testing capacity, Biden added.

The president’s disregard for the package follows his rejection of Biden’s November victory, which Trump has described as rigged.

In November, the American people spoke clearly that now is a time for bipartisan action and compromise. I was heartened to see members of Congress heed that message, reach across the aisle, and work together, Biden said. President Trump should join them, and make sure millions of Americans can put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads in this holiday season.

Trump’s refusal comes despite bipartisan support for the the $2.3 trillion package, which includes $900 billion for Covid-19 relief and $1.4 trillion to fund the government until October.

If the president takes no action, the government will shut down on Tuesday and the unemployment benefits will expire on Saturday.

Over 330 thousand people have so far died of the virus in the United States with nearly 19 million cases reported.