Mnuchin defends Trump’s movement on executive action

Treasury Secretary Steven MnuchinSteven Terner Mnuchin White House Officials, Democrats Spit on Legality, Substance Execution Substance Sunday Shows – Trump Coronavirus Executive Commands Conquer Pelosi: ‘Obviously There’s Room for Compromise’ on 0-Week Unemployment Benefit MAY defend on Monday President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump suggests some states ‘can pay nothing’ as part of Trump’s unemployment plan denies White House asked about adding him to Mount Rushmore Trump, US face pivotal UN vote on Iran MAYThe decision to sign a series of executive orders after talks with Congress over a coronavirus relief package collapsed, arguing that the president should move forward.

“If we can get a fair deal, we will do it this week, but the president has to take action,” Mnuchin said in an interview with CNBC. “He will not sit around.”

Mnuchin said the signing of the controversial orders came after he and White House chief of staff Mark MeadowsMark Randall MeadowsMeadows says he wants Trump nomination speech ‘miles and miles away’ from White House Pelosi: ‘Of course there is room for compromise’ on 0-per-week unemployment benefits Pelosi, Schumer slams Trump executive orders, calls for GOP to return come to negotiation table MAY reported Friday to Trump that talks with Democrats were in an accident.

“We left the meeting on Friday. Mark Meadows and I reported to him that we were nowhere, and that’s why he went ahead,” Mnuchin said.

Trump on Saturday signed memoranda aimed at improving unemployment benefits, delaying tax payments and providing student loans and federal relief. Democrats have criticized the orders, claiming they are insufficient and likely ineffective. A number of Republicans have supported the president’s actions, although some GOP lawmakers have questioned whether the president had the legal authority to do what he did.

Top Congress Democrats and administration officials have met several times last week to discuss coronavirus release legislation, but they remain far apart on a number of issues, including support to state and local governments.

House Democrats in May introduced a bill that would provide nearly $ 1 trillion to state, local, territorial and tribal governments. But Mnuchin said that number was “absurd”, claiming that there was still money for states under previous legislation and that some states had financial problems before the pandemic.

The Treasury Secretary also said Trump would sign a bill specifically aimed at helping schools.

“The president will be more than happy to sign a stand-alone Education Bill,” Mnuchin said. “Let’s do that. Let us not keep our children, and let us not stop small businesses that have to go back to work. This is not about partisan politics. Let’s focus on the children and the jobs. ”