“That’s a nonstarter,” Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin said in response. Congressional Republicans have made offers closer to $1 trillion.
Trump argued Democrats had asked for extra money for “poorly run Democrat cities and states” for expenses unrelated to the coronavirus. Democrats and some Republicans have said aid for local governments is needed amid a financial crunch sparked by the pandemic to ensure vital services like police and firefighters are able to continue operating.
The greater than trillion-dollar gap remaining between the parties includes their disagreement on the continued unemployment benefits. Congress created a $600-a-week additional payment for the jobless earlier this year, but was unable to find a deal to extend the payments after they expired at the end of July.
The two sides also remain apart on how school funding should be disbursed. Pelosi told reporters the White House wants the money to go largely to schools that reopen; Democrats want the aid to also fund schools that are unable to reopen and must spend to launch and implement distance learning programs.
Source: Trump to hold news conference after coronavirus aid talks hit stalemate
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