WASHINGTON- US Republicans and Democrats remained far apart on how much to spend on the next round of coronavirus relief as they discussed proposals to extend unemployment insurance for Americans thrown out of work and provide more money for schools.
After separate meetings with White House and Treasury officials, Republican and Democratic lawmakers said they expected the eventual legislation to include more funding for coronavirus testing, despite earlier resistance to the idea from President Donald Trump’s administration.
But there was debate over whether to accept Trump’s demands for a payroll tax cut, which even some Senate Republicans questioned. Democrats said Republicans and the White House had not united on a proposal. The payroll tax funds federal retirement programs such as Social Security.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the $1 trillion Republicans say they are considering would not be sufficient to do what is needed for the US economy and Americans’ health. The Democratic-run House of Representatives passed a $3 trillion relief bill two months ago that the Republican-majority Senate has ignored.
“We want to see this (Republican) bill, not just have a conversation,” Pelosi told reporters after a meeting with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.
“We’re glad they came to see us, we’re glad they outlined some very broad concepts, but they’re not close to getting ready to negotiate,” Schumer said.
Mnuchin said, however, the day’s meetings were productive and he hoped for agreement by the end of next week.
“That’s an important time frame, because we want to get something done before the unemployment insurance expires” on July 31, he said.
The United States has recorded more than 3.8 million coronavirus cases and over 141,000 deaths. Tens of millions have been thrown out of work.
Mnuchin and Meadows spent much of the day discussing White House priorities for the legislation with lawmakers, first with Senate Republicans, then with Pelosi and Schumer.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Republicans would soon unveil a new coronavirus bill that is expected to have a $1 trillion price tag.
