House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) indicated on Wednesday Republicans and Democrats are nowhere near reaching an agreement on the next coronavirus relief package.
Appearing on MSNBC, Pelosi told Craig Melvin both parties are deeply divided over provisions included in the next stimulus bill.
“When commentators say to me, ‘Why can’t you resolve your differences?’ Because we’re miles apart,” Pelosi said.
Pelosi noted Democrats have included over $60 billion dollars for food insecurity initiatives while Republicans offered $240,000.
She claimed Republicans have no money going toward preventing evictions or a moratorium on evictions in their bill.
Watch her comments below:
Speaker Pelosi says Democrats and Republicans are "miles apart" on coronavirus relief negotiations.
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) August 12, 2020
"We are unified, House and Senate Democrats, for the children, for the people. And [Republicans] are disorganized, in disarray, and do not believe in governance or science." pic.twitter.com/pFf02D1oC2
Pelosi claimed both parties are also very far apart on the amount it is going to take to reopen schools whether it is “actual, virtual, or hybrid.”
She mentioned the effects of the coronavirus on children a part of minority communities.
According to Pelosi, Hispanic children are eight times more likely to be hospitalized than White children and Black children are five times more likely to be hospitalized.
Melvin asked Pelosi what is next for negotiations.
“We are unified, House and Senate Democrats, for the children, for the people. And they are disorganized, in disarray, and do not believe in governance or science,” Pelosi said.
Pelosi penned a letter to her Democratic colleagues urging them to focus on the value of putting Americans first, especially children.
Despite their differences, Pelosi is encouraging her colleagues to come together with Republicans and make a deal.
“Our differences are vast, but we must reach agreement. Leader Schumer and I stand ready to find common ground. We have proposed that we meet halfway. We have suggested that we would go down $1 trillion if they came up $1 trillion,” Pelosi said.
Trump signed executive orders on Saturday after negotiations hit an impasse, as IJR previously reported.
His orders include a cut to enhanced unemployment benefits from $600 to $400 per week, a payroll tax cut, “temporary financial assistance” to struggling renters and homeowners, and an extended suspension on interest on student loan payments.