Trump helps floats tackle coronavirus relief in Congress

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Donald Trump’s top advisers on Sunday raised the possibility of Congress passing the gradual coronavirus relief legislation, an approach Democrats oppose, with a deadline approaching the expiration of improved unemployment benefits.

A day before Senate Republicans introduced a $ 1 trillion coronavirus relief bill that includes reduced federal unemployment benefits, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said he believes the party can work. quickly with Democrats to pass the legislation.

Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows raised the idea of ​​Congress passing a bill that focuses on items including federal unemployment benefits due Friday, leaving other issues to be addressed later. .

Senate leaders, controlled by fellow Trump Republicans, and White House officials were quick to work out a deal on their aid proposal, which was affected after majority leader Mitch McConnell announced plans. to enter the measurement last week.

The Democrat-controlled House of Representatives passed a $ 3 trillion coronavirus relief bill in May. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the top Democrat in Congress, criticized Republicans for failing to agree on a plan when Americans are “on edge” and starving.

“They are in disarray and that delay is causing suffering for families in the United States,” Pelosi told CBS “Face the Nation”.

Pelosi has been waiting for the Republican proposal so that negotiations can begin on a final bill that will be approved by Congress.

“So we have been ready for two months and 10 days. I was here all weekend hoping they had something to give us, “Pelosi said.

The most pressing problems are renewing improved unemployment benefits, currently $ 600 a week, and liability protections against coronavirus-related lawsuits, such as “frivolous” litigation against schools and universities, Mnuchin said.

Meadows said that if lawmakers can agree on these two issues, they can debate the rest of the aid bill in the coming weeks.

“I honestly see that we can provide unemployment insurance, perhaps a withholding credit to prevent people from being displaced or returned to the workplace, by helping with our schools,” Meadows told ABC “This Week.”

“If we can do that along with liability protection, maybe we will propose it, approve it, as we can negotiate the rest of the bill in the coming weeks.”

FINAL TOUCHES

The coronavirus pandemic has affected the United States economy and caused large increases in unemployment. Congress is working to pass the latest in a series of bills in response to the pandemic.

Mnuchin and Meadows made weekend visits to Capitol Hill to meet with Republican Senate leaders. Meadows said he and Mnuchin will return on Sunday and that they will be “putting the finishing touches” on the bill.

“Within the trillion dollar package, there are certain things that have deadlines that are of higher priority. Then we might consider doing a full deal. We could also consider doing parts, “Mnuchin said in an interview with” Fox News Sunday. ”

Pelosi and top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer on Thursday rejected the idea of ​​approving a temporary extension of expanded unemployment benefits, apart from a larger coronavirus relief package, and told reporters they don’t want to pass measures. slowly.

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said Americans will receive a $ 1,200 check as part of the new package, along with tax credits for small businesses and restaurants. Kudlow told CNN’s “State of the Union” that the package would also extend a federal moratorium on the evictions contained in the previous relief legislation.

Republicans say they are looking for an extension of unemployment benefits to replace 70% of a person’s wages before losing their job. Mnuchin said Saturday that the Trump administration supports extending the improved unemployment benefits until the end of the year, but to a reduced level.

Democrats prefer a fixed amount of enhanced benefits rather than having to calculate 70% of someone’s salary.

“The reason we had $ 600 was its simplicity,” said Pelosi.

Regarding liability protections, Pelosi said Democrats will not support a scenario where workers can be told they are essential, but the employer has no responsibility to make the workplace safe for them.

Mnuchin expressed optimism about a deal.

“We can move very quickly with Democrats on these issues. We’ve moved quickly before, and I don’t see any reason why we can’t move quickly again, ”Mnuchin said. “And if there are problems that take longer, we will deal with them as well.”