KEY POINTS

  • Pelosi slammed the Trump administration's $1.8 trillion stimulus proposal as "grossly inadequate"
  • The White House's latest proposal included another round of stimulus checks
  • It also included changes in the requirements for eligibility

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday dismissed the White House's latest stimulus proposal as President Donald Trump continues to push for a deal three weeks before the November election.

The Trump administration put forth an offer of $1.8 trillion on Saturday, which included another round of stimulus checks of $1,200 per individual. It also included some changes to the requirements for eligibility.

Pelosi contested the Trump administration's relief proposal, calling the package "wholly insufficient" for the testing, tracing, and treatment of COVID-19.

In a letter sent to fellow Democrats, the California powerhouse said the president's action the previous week showed that he is still not taking the coronavirus threat "seriously, personally, or nationally," NBC News reported.

"This proposal amounted to one step forward, two steps back. When the president talks about wanting a bigger relief package, his proposal appears to mean that he wants more money at his discretion to grant or withhold," Pelosi wrote.

"This attitude is reflected in the grossly inadequate response we finally received from the administration on Saturday."

Senate Republicans also opposed the Trump administration's latest stimulus offer, saying they did not want to pass a large package. Larry Kudlow, the president's top economic adviser, said in an appearance on CNN's "State of the Union" that he believes a potential stimulus deal may still be settled between both parties.

"I think, if we could get this thing settled on the Democrat side, we will get it settled on the Republican side," Kudlow said. "There will still be further efforts at negotiation, perhaps today, but certainly this coming week. So, I don't think we really — the D's are holding this thing up."

The White House's $1.8 trillion proposal redefined who qualifies as a dependent and would give families $500 for each dependent identified on taxes, regardless of age. It also offered a $1,000 payment per child dependent.

According to CNET, older adults and retirees could also qualify for direct payments, and U.S. citizens living abroad and in U.S. territories may also be eligible. People who receive Social Security Disability Insurance may be required to go through a different process.

Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants to spend $2.2 trillion on another US stimulus measure, but Republicans say the bill would cost too much
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants to spend $2.2 trillion on another US stimulus measure, but Republicans say the bill would be too much AFP / Nicholas Kamm