GOP and Democrats are far apart on coronavirus relief – here’s what happens next

After the discussion Monday, Democrats sounded less hopeful than Meadows did about where the bill stands. 

“Unfortunately, we’re pretty far apart right now, although I’m optimistic we could have a good solution at the end,” Schumer said Tuesday on “CBS This Morning.”

Asked if the sides could reach a deal before the end of next week, he said: “I hope so, and that’s what we’re working for. We’ll sit down. We’re going to sit down again today. We’ll sit down 24/7.”

Congress faces pressure to approve more aid, as any delays will hold back assistance to jobless Americans after states stopped paying out the $600 per week federal unemployment benefit this week. A federal eviction moratorium expired, states are trying to process a flurry of Covid-19 tests during a nationwide surge and school districts are struggling to plan how to open safely in the fall. 

After previous coronavirus aid packages passed with overwhelming support in the spring, the developing bill looks likely to draw less support. Some GOP lawmakers have expressed concerns about more federal spending to buoy the economy after Congress allocated more than $2.5 trillion to combat the pandemic earlier this year. 

Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., told CNBC that “Republicans are going to be divided on this one.” 

Many GOP lawmakers oppose the plan as written now, and will resist concessions the White House makes to earn Pelosi’s support.

“I imagine it’s probably another week or two,” Toomey said Tuesday about when Congress could reach an agreement.

Article source: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/28/coronavirus-stimulus-updates-next-steps-after-republicans-release-heals-act.html