The White House and Congress Democrats dug deeper into their respective tranches Monday amid stalemates over a new coronavirus relief package.
The First Chamber was technically back in session on Monday, but there were no signs of a rapid detente over the political and policy differences between the two sides.
Two senior Democratic staff members told The Hill that there were no contacts between House Speakers Nancy Pelosi
Nancy 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 Schumer
Chuck 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.) and the White House since Friday.
One of the staff members added that there had been no specific contact with the White House chief of staff Mark Meadows
Mark 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 as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin
Steven 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, the two leading GOP negotiators.
Schumer, asked about next steps, put the onus on Republicans.
He said Republicans “should meet in the middle”, adding that Senate Leader majority Mitch McConnell
Addison (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.) Must “tell the president’s negotiators that he’s ready to meet us in the middle and we can get something.”
Instead, the two leaders of the House of Representatives minted coins during a brief Senate session.
McConnell spoke from the floor, claiming Democrats said it was “our way as the highway,” accusing them of lack of progress and no clear path forward.
“From the beginning, our site has tried everything to find common ground and provide more help. But Democrats said no. At least the American people know the score,” he added.
Schumer said the GOP negotiators “should meet us halfway”.
“After days of difficult negotiations, Speaker Pelosi and I spoke through Republican involuntary action. … Let’s meet in the middle, we said. In the middle. That’s how negotiations occur. That’s how you “The White House said no. It was difficult for us to offer that compromise,” Schumer said of the Senate floor.
The Senate is expected to remain in session this week, but will not hold a vote unless negotiators are able to reschedule talks and get a deal on another package of coronavirus.
Talks erupted Friday after nearly two weeks of almost daily negotiations made little measurable progress.
Democratic leaders said on Friday that they had agreed to drop $ 1 trillion from their top $ 3.4 trillion topline as Republicans agreed to add $ 1 trillion to their roughly $ 1 trillion package. The strategy, effectively splitting the cost split, would have resulted in an agreement between roughly $ 2 trillion and $ 2.4 trillion.
But Mnuchin called that a ‘non-starter’. He added Monday in an interview with CNBC that he thought there could be a deal “if the Democrats are willing to be reasonable.”
“I will not comment on the specifications or the logistics of the negotiations because I do not think this is useful,” he told CNBC, asking about how the talks resumed.
Mnuchin said during a briefing with Trump early Monday night that he had been talking to “several” Democrats since Friday – but not to Pelosi and Schumer.
If “they are ready to negotiate, have a new proposal, we are more than ready to comply,” Mnuchin said, asking if he was ready to reach out to them.
Trump over the weekend issued a package of executive orders to unilaterally extend improved unemployment benefits, delay the collection of tax payments, and provide assistance with payments for rent and student loans.
Sen. Kevin Cramer
Kevin John CramerNo signs of breakthrough for stalled coronavirus talks State support appears to be a major obstacle to reviving COVID-19 talks The Hill’s Coronavirus Report: iBIO President and CEO Thomas Isett says developing a secure vaccine is crucial; US surpasses 150,000 coronavirus deaths with roughly one death per minute MAY (RN.D.) claimed that the president’s decision re-introduced the levy in the talks and questioned whether legislation by Congress was still necessary.
“Maybe she’s bringing her back to the table. The question though, I think … is, is it even all that necessary?” Cramer told CNBC. “You know, some people, I think … will look at it and go, there is no longer a need to go back to the negotiating table.”
Cramer, asked if he thought there would be an agreement by the end of this week, added, “I’m not so sure.”
Brett Samuels contributed.
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