McConnell: Time to start talking about coronavirus again

Leader of the First Chamber Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellTeachers Union launches 0K ad buy calls for funding for education in relief No signs of breakthrough for stalled coronavirus talks State aid appears to be major obstacle to revival of COVID-19 talks (R-Ky.) Calls on the Trump administration and congressional Democrats to resume negotiations on a fifth deal with coronavirus after talks collapsed late last week.

McConnell, during an interview with Fox News, said it was “time for everyone to get back on the table,” although the GOP leader gave no indication that he would reach out to the Democratic leaders themselves.

“The standstill needs to be ended. It makes no difference who says we need to get back together, but we need to get back together,” McConnell said, adding that things were “at an accident” at the time.

“There has been no meeting of consequences between the two parties since last Friday. That is too long, and it is time to sit down and get a deal,” he added.

Negotiations between Second Chamber Member Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiTeachers Union launches 0K ad buy calls for funding for education in relief No signs of breakthrough for stalemate talks on coronavirus Managers air frustrations with Trump over unemployment plans MAY (D-Calif.), Leader of the Senate Minority Charles SchumerChuck SchumerTo save the Postal Service, bring it online White House officials, Democrats save on legality, substantial of executive orders Schumer refuses to say whether Trump’s executive orders are legal: They ‘do not’ work ‘anymore (DN.Y.), Treasury Secretary Steven MnuchinSteven Terner MnuchinTeachers union launches 0K ad buy calls for funding for education in relief What Trump’s orders will and will not do for tax services, unemployment benefits No signs of breakthrough for stalled talks with coronavirus MORE and Chief of Staff of the White House Mark MeadowsMark Randall MeadowsTeachers Union Launches 0K Advertising Purchase Calls for Relief Education Funding No Signs of Breakthrough for Stalled Coronavirus Talks On The Money: Administration Defends Trump Executives | CBO reports skyrocketing shortage | Government breaks Kodak loan pending review MORE crash on Friday after nearly two weeks of daily conversations resulted in little progress.

Although Meadows and Mnuchin McConnell were regularly briefed on the closed-door negotiations, the GOP leader was not in the room for the days of talks.

White House congressmen and White House negotiators have not spoken since Friday, and seem to be putting the onus on each other to resume talks. Pelosi told reporters Tuesday that she had not heard from Mnuchin or Meadows.

“Our differences are huge,” she said.

Asked if we should expect updates this week, Pelosi added: “I hope so, we’ll see.”

Mnuchin and Meadows brought Republicans to the House of Representatives for nearly an hour on Tuesday morning. But they appeared to give GOP senators no reason to think there would be a speedy refund of the negotiations.

Asked if he had received an update from the GOP’s negotiating team, Sen. Chuck GrassleyCharles (Chuck) Ernest GrassleyTrump puts trade back on agenda 2020 McConnell hands-off over coronavirus delivery bill GOP presidents retaliate over accusation of spreading disinformation with Biden probe MORE (R-Iowa) said they were “pessimistic about going back to negotiations.”

Instead, both parties have spent the past two days blaming the vermin.

“I made it clear that the reasons that were left for talks were that the White House had in principle declared, ‘my way off the highway.’ They were not ready to meet us in the middle. They said that in the chamber, “said Schumer of the Senate floor.

He added that the theft “was not both sides to blame situation.”

“Democrats are ready to compromise. Republicans are intervening and will not move from their position,” Schumer said.

As part of last week’s talks, Schumer and Pelosi offer to take a trillion dollars from their $ 3.4 trillion topline figure if the White House agrees to add $ 1 trillion to their package. That would have placed them in the range of a definitive agreement between $ 2 trillion and $ 2.4 trillion.

But Mnuchin called the figure a “non-starter.”

McConnell called on Tuesday for Democrats to reduce their demand for nearly $ 1 trillion in new aid to state and local governments, which has been shown to be a significant stumbling block to resuming talks. Democrats are asking for $ 915 billion, while Republicans have offered $ 150 billion.

“Take that off the table and get this assistance straight to the people who need it,” McConnell said.