Will There Be A Second Stimulus Check? Nancy Pelosi Sets Deadline On Talks

The White House and Senate Republicans have until Tuesday to reach a deal with Democrats on the next round of coronavirus stimulus if they want to get something done before the Nov. 3 presidential election, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was planning to bring a limited $500 billion package to the Senate floor for the second time this week, but Democrats have called the measure grossly inadequate.

Pelosi has been negotiating with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin for weeks and cut Democratic asks from $3.4 trillion in May to $2.2 trillion in a measure approved earlier this month.

The White House raised its offer to $1.88 trillion, but Pelosi said the bid contained a number of “poison pills” that made it unacceptable to Democrats, including a liability provision that “forces workers to risk their lives in unsafe workplaces with no legal recourse.” Additionally, there was no guarantee Senate Republicans would go along with a deal that size despite President Donald Trump’s cheerleading, last week tweeting, “Go big or go home.”

It was unclear whether Trump has the political capital to move GOP lawmakers on the price tag. Republicans seeking reelection and eyeing polls that indicate the president trailing Democratic challenger Joe Biden fear the president will take them down, as well. After the election, if Trump loses, Republicans will have little incentive to go along with a massive spending bill.

Coronavirus blew a $3.1 trillion hole in the fiscal 2020 budget.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has pleaded for major spending to prevent permanent damage to the economy, which already is showing signs of slowing the recovery from the coronavirus-induced recession.

Pelosi on Sunday told ABC’s “This Week” passing the next round of relief “depends on the administration.” She said the administration has taken out much of the language that would make such things as testing and tracing mandatory to contain the contagion.

“We had pages and pages of how you would do this in the minority community. They crossed it all out. Instead they put this sentence, contact tracing will be paid for by the federal government as part of the $75 billion [included in the proposal],” Pelosi said.

“OK, we agree to that. But given state difference, each state shall establish a strategy that is appropriate to its circumstances. CDC can provide guidance to the states on elements. Can, no must.”

The negotiations are occurring against a backdrop of increasing coronavirus infections and hospitalizations across the country. The virus has killed nearly 220,000 Americans since March.

Pelosi said negotiations could continue beyond Tuesday, but it would be unlikely a measure could then be passed before the election.

Pelosi said among the sticking points are “an earned income tax credit, a child tax credit, child independent tax credit for the children.”

Both sides have agreed to a new round of $1,200 stimulus checks to individuals, aid for small businesses and help for the airline industry, as well as supplemental unemployment benefits. Still on the table is money for cash-strapped cities and states whose budgets have suffered as a result of the pandemic.

Congress passed more than $3 trillion in aid earlier this year. The last of the provisions run out Dec. 31.