Chamber member Nancy Pelosi said on Wednesday that Democratic leaders and White House officials remain far apart on any deal to provide more emergency assistance to U.S. families and workers still suffering from the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are miles apart,” Pelosi told MSNBC in an interview on Wednesday, noting in particular a stalemate over funding for education, protection of access and extra money for food stamps.
Negotiators are trying to bridge the gap between a $ 1 trillion aid package submitted by Senate Republicans in late July and the $ 3 trillion legislation passed by House Democrats in May. The Trump administration last week rejected an offer from Pelosi to meet in the middle on a $ 2 trillion price tag.
WASHINGTON IMPASS ON CORONAVIRUS RELIEF INCREASES US ECONOMY
“It’s a rift,” Pelosi said.
Talks between the two sides broke down last Friday, potentially trillions of dollars in aid to families, businesses and the U.S. economy, including a fresh round of $ 1,200 incentive checks, additional unemployment benefits for millions of unemployed Americans and $ 100 billion for schools to help again.
There have been no signs of a détente so far, with each party continuing to blame the other for the stagnant discussions.
Earlier in the day, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, one of the leading negotiators on the Republican side, called on Democrats to compromise on a $ 1 trillion relief package.
MCCONNELL OPENS TO REMOVE $ 600 WORKBOOK
“My opinion on negotiations is that you agree on the things you can agree on, half of legislation that is good for the American public, and then come back for another bill,” Mnuchin told FOX Business’ Maria Bartiromo.
Against a deadlocked Congress, President Trump acted unilaterally over additional virus relief over the weekend, signing on Saturday four executive actions that would delay the collection of personal income tax for individuals earning less than $ 104,000 annually through the rest of the year; partially reimburse additional unemployment benefits at $ 400 per week (25% of which would come from state-funded budgets), extend student loan relief and discourage evasions.
Combined, the four measures would add about $ 165 billion in liquidity to the U.S. economy in the short term and add about $ 10 billion to the nation’s balloon deficit, according to new projections released by the Center for a Responsible Federal Budget.
SQUAD MEMBER ILHAN OMAR IN PRIMARY FOOTBALL AS 5 STATES Holds prize draw Tuesday
Trump has a duty to follow a permanent cut in the tax bill, but without legislation, those payments will still be mandatory by the delayed expiration date.
Some of his proposals are expected to have legal challenges. Critics say the constitution gives Congress power over federal spending, meaning Trump does not have the legal authority to issue executive orders that dictate how much money should be spent on the pandemic.
CLICK HERE TO CLICK THE FOX NEWS APP
