Democrats and White House negotiators have been unable for weeks to reach an agreement on a coronavirus delivery package as the economy continues to struggle in the midst of the pandemic. When the talks appeared to break up, President Donald Trump earlier this month unveiled a number of executive actions, including moves on layoffs, extending the postponement on student loans, providing increased unemployment benefits at a lower rate and postponing tax cuts.
First Republicans floated a smaller coronavirus relief scheme this week, which would include additional federal unemployment benefits by the end of the year and an additional $ 10 billion in funding for the U.S. Postal Service. Democrats, who will vote this Saturday to deliver $ 25 billion to the Postal Service, have insisted they do not want a “skinny” or piece of package. When asked where he stood on the proposal, Kaine said he expected to settle on compromises with Republicans, but that some protections were not negotiated for the next incentive package.
“The top line number will end up in my middle somewhere in my view,” Kaine said. “But we need to make sure unemployed workers are cared for, people are not evicted from their homes during global pandemics, like apartments, and people have food aid. And these are kind of basis before Democrats can agree to a package.”
