After speaking with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin over the phone, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) does not appear to be pleased with the conversation surrounding coronavirus relief aid.
She wrote in a statement late Tuesday, “Sadly, this phone call made clear that Democrats and the White House continue to have serious differences understanding the gravity of the situation that America’s working families are facing.”
The House speaker addressed that congressional Democrats have offered to compromise, noting that they are willing to go down $1 trillion to a package totaling $2.2 trillion.
In her statement, she laid out the “serious questions” that are of concern, including, “Does the White House think that America’s working families are not worth the investment needed to defeat the virus and the accompanying economic crisis? Or would they rather spend the money another way?”
“In our conversation, I reiterated the hope that Republicans will come to the table and work with Democrats to save the lives and livelihoods of the American people,” Pelosi said.
Earlier this week, Pelosi tore into Senate Republicans’ just over $1 trillion relief package proposal, as IJR reported. This comes amid stalled conversations since August 7 on the fifth coronavirus relief package.
Mnuchin made it clear during a hearing in the House on Tuesday that he agrees “more fiscal response is needed.”
“The president and I want to move forward with more fiscal response,” he added.
However, the Treasury secretary said, “I do not support $2.2 trillion.”
Mnuchin listed out things he sees bipartisan agreement on: “Provide substantial funds for schools, testing, vaccines, [Paycheck Protection Program] for small businesses, continued enhanced unemployment benefits, child care, nutrition, agriculture, and the U.S. Postal Service, along with liability protection for universities, schools, and businesses.”
Senate Republicans are hoping to vote on a “skinny” plan for COVID-19 relief next week.