House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the most recent talks with the White House on Monday did not produce an agreement on new coronavirus stimulus bill, as she put the onus on President Donald Trump’s administration to make a deal.
Asked if there would be an agreement by the end of the week, Pelosi said: “It depends on whether they really want to crush the virus, honor our heroes, and put money in the pockets of the American people.”
“We have had conversations,” Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters at the Capitol.
The two sides have sought common ground on legislation to help an economy still reeling from the coronavirus.
Pelosi has emphasized the need for funding for testing and contract tracing. The House bill has $75 billion in it.
“We’re trying to, in the coronavirus legislation that we’re working on now, to make sure that people of color that are disproportionately affected by this virus get the testing, tracing, treatment that they need in order to fight it,” Pelosi sald later on MSNBC.
In a CNN poll released Monday, 60% of U.S. adults disapproved of the way Trump was handling the pandemic, his highest disapproval rating in the survey, while 37% approved of his actions.
CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage
Besides the testing and tracing funds, the $2.2 trillion bill approved by House Democrats last week over unanimous Republican opposition included $1,200 stimulus checks, $600 in extra weekly federal unemployment insurance payments through Jan. 31, $436 billion in state and local aid, more paycheck protection program funds for small businesses, and a one-year suspension of the GOP tax law’s $10,000 cap on deducting state and local taxes.
Senate Republicans have yet to approve another stimulus bill. A $1 trillion proposal never came up for a vote and a $500 billion measure didn’t have enough support to pass.
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.
Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at [email protected].
