Writing to House Democrats on Sunday, the speaker said she is “optimistic that we can reach agreement before the election.” Pelosi added that “we are writing [legislative] language” as talks continue, “so that we are fully prepared to move forward once we reach agreement.”
She highlighted several lingering disputes, including a national testing strategy and state and local government relief. Pelosi also cited tax credit expansion, child-care provisions and support for the U.S. Census as areas of disagreement.
Even if Pelosi and Mnuchin can forge a deal, Senate Republicans will pose an obstacle to passing it. Most GOP lawmakers have backed only limited new spending to respond to the virus outbreak as they embrace a rosier view of the economy than Democrats have.
The Senate GOP plans to vote on a roughly $500 billion aid package as soon as Wednesday. Earlier Monday, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had agreed to bring a potential bipartisan bill to the Senate floor “and actually have a vote.”
Asked about Meadows’ comment, a McConnell spokesman pointed to a statement the Senate leader issued over the weekend. He said that, “if Speaker Pelosi ever lets the House reach a bipartisan agreement with the Administration, the Senate would of course consider it.”
House Democrats most recently passed a $2.2 trillion bill, while the White House has put forward a nearly $1.9 trillion proposal.
Congress has failed for months to approve new coronavirus aid as new U.S. Covid-19 infections hit levels unseen in months and the economy inches back from devastating shutdowns.
Article source: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/19/coronavirus-stimulus-pelosi-and-mnuchin-discuss-relief-bill.html