Democrats, Trump Administration 'Far Apart' On Second Coronavirus Stimulus Bill

Democrats and Trump administration officials left Thursday night’s meetings still far apart on a new stimulus bill, raising doubt that another coronavirus aid package for Americans is going to be passed.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer remain far apart from Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows on a number of key issues. The two sides have failed to reach an agreement after 10 meetings on the subject, according to USA Today.

“I would say we’re closer on a lot of issues. We’re still very far apart on some very significant issues,” Mnuchin said.

Among those issues is the extension of the $600 per week in enhanced unemployment benefits that ran out on July 31. Pelosi and Schumer said they won’t approve a deal that provides jobless Americans with anything less than the previous figure.

“We believe the patient needs a major operation while Republicans want to apply just a Band-Aid,” Schumer said. “We won’t let them just pass the Band-Aid, go home and leave America bleeding.”

A proposed plan from Republicans would cut the employment benefits to $200 per week through September. By October, those Americans would receive checks that would recover 70% of worker’s previous wages, capped at $500 a week.

President Donald Trump could pass an executive order regarding unemployment insurance and evictions if an agreement isn’t reached.

Funds for education could be lost if the two sides remain at an impasse. More than $100 billion that would be used to help reopen schools during the coronavirus pandemic is at stake.

A second round of $1,200 checks to most Americans is at risk without an agreement between Democratic leaders and the Trump administration.

More than 160,000 Americans have died from the coronavirus.