“Those four different offers have been rejected, but more importantly, they have not even been countered with a proposal,” Meadows said at a White House press conference. “Democrats are certainly ready today to allow some of the most struggling American citizens in this pandemic to be unprotected.”
Pelosi was equally pessimistic at his weekly press conference on Friday, criticizing Republicans for refusing to concede anything in the negotiations and making prospects for a deal seem like a distant possibility.
“We don’t have shared values, that’s the way it is. It is not a dispute, it is our base, “Pelosi told reporters.” We recognize the seriousness of the situation, they do not. “
The partial suspension occurs as a weekly federal benefit of $ 600 for unemployed Americans from the March CARES Act that expires at midnight. Democrats are pushing for a full extension of the benefit until next year, but Senate Republicans argue that the $ 600 increase provides a disincentive for unemployed Americans to return to work and want to see it adjusted in the next aid package.
However, the need has only become more urgent. The coronavirus continues to spread throughout the U.S., with an estimated 1,000 Americans dying a day from the virus, while the economy suffered its worst quarterly contraction on record.
In a sign of how pessimistic Democratic leaders are to strike a deal soon, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (Democrat) announced Friday that members would be sent home with a 24-hour notice. to return in August to vote on an aid package Once an agreement is reached.
But Hoyer gave no indication of when that vote could occur, offering an unstable start to what would normally be the start of a five-week August recess for lawmakers.
“We will not begin the August district work period until we pass the appropriate COVID-19 relief to deal with the current economic and health crisis,” Hoyer announced on the floor of the House.
Republicans on Thursday offered to extend the $ 600 boost for another week, but Democrats rejected that offer. Pelosi said Friday that the proposal made no sense given how far the two sides are in a larger bill. Typically, congressional negotiators will agree to a one-week extension of certain expiring programs to allow time for a broader agreement to develop in both the House and the Senate.
But in this case, as Pelosi said, a broader aid agreement is not looming. Instead, the two sides remain far apart on several critical issues, including unemployment benefits, state and local funds, federal food assistance, and money to shore up the postal service and electoral security.
“What are we going to do in a week?” Pelosi said. “First of all, they don’t even have the votes for it in the Senate. Let’s be realistic about who says what.
Meadows and Mnuchin met Pelosi and Schumer on Thursday night for more than two hours, but the meeting, the fourth of this week, once again made no progress. Pelosi and Schumer will speak to Meadows and Mnuchin by phone on Friday and will meet in person on Saturday starting at 9 am
The dispute over the extension of unemployment benefits comes after two weeks of partisan struggles, as well as a Republican split within the party over how to tackle the next coronavirus relief package. The White House has introduced a temporary “thin law” that would address unemployment and evictions, but Pelosi and Schumer argue that they don’t want a “piecemeal” approach.
“It amazes me that when we talk about compassion and concern for those who really need it, a temporary solution to ensure continued improved unemployment has been rejected not once but several times,” Meadows said. “Democrats believe they have all the cards on their side and are willing to play those cards at the expense of those who are suffering.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) Is also trying to increase pressure on Senate Democrats and took procedural steps on Thursday that would allow next week’s votes on a series of proposals.
Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) Tried to pass his own proposal Thursday, which would renew federal unemployment payments at 66 percent of lost wages or $ 200 per week. But Schumer rejected it and instead offered the House’s $ 3 trillion Hero Act, which Republicans have dismissed as a Democratic wish list.
