Meadows says benefits will expire as negotiators struggle to reach agreement

White House Chief of Staff Mark MeadowsMark Randall Meadows Republican Senators Rise Over Coronavirus Proposal Democrats and Republicans appear far apart in aid agreement COVID-19 Night Health Care: Marlins Outbreak Sheds Light on US Coronavirus Response | Senate GOP COVID-19 Response Sets Up Battle for Medicaid | Virginia imposes new restrictions in part of the state MORE He said Wednesday that the additional unemployment benefits will formally expire on Friday as negotiators appear to be struggling to move toward a bipartisan agreement.

“The improved unemployment insurance provisions will expire,” Meadows told reporters after a meeting with the Treasury Secretary. Steven MnuchinSteven Terner Mnuchin Republican Senators Rise Over Coronavirus Proposal Democrats and Republicans appear far apart in COVID-19 aid deal Nighttime Health Care: Marlins Outbreak Sheds Light on US Coronavirus Response | Senate GOP COVID-19 Response Sets Up Battle for Medicaid | Virginia imposes new restrictions in part of the state MORE, President of the house Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiPelosi beats Barr after testimony: “It was like a stain” and “henchman” for the Republican Senators’ revolt by Trump over the coronavirus proposal. Lawmakers, John Lewis public farewell MORE (D-Calif.) And minority leader of the Senate Charles SchumerChuck SchumerPelosi, Schumer says the Republican Senate coronavirus bill is “selling to working families.” (DN.Y.).

When asked if he believed it would happen now, he added: “Yes.”

Under the coronavirus relief package approved in March, Congress agreed to an additional federal benefit of $ 600 per week for those out of work during the pandemic.

As worded, the benefit will officially expire on Friday, but due to the schedule and the way most states distribute unemployment benefits, they actually started to expire last Saturday.

What to do about unemployment benefits has been a major point of conflict for the chances of obtaining a bipartisan settlement.

Democrats want to extend the additional benefit of $ 600 until the end of the year. Republicans, meanwhile, are proposing to switch to 70 percent salary replacement. During the two-month transition to the new system, the federal government would provide a federal unemployment benefit of $ 200 per month.

Some Republicans are pushing to move an independent short-term extension of unemployment benefits to avoid the precipice on Friday.

But Meadows said after the meeting that Pelosi and Schumer had rejected that idea.

“There has been a lot of discussion about that, but President Pelosi and Leader Schumer have made it very clear that they are not going to do that,” Meadows said.