Secretary Mnuchin doubts a deal will be reached before the election.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin had a productive discussion about the coronavirus relief proposals Wednesday, but the administration’s “lack of a national strategic testing plan remains a major area of disagreement,” a spokesman for the speaker said.
He said, “In response to proposals sent over the weekend, the two spent time seeking clarification on language, which was productive.” He said they will talk again Thursday and would continue to “exchange paper.”
Treasury Secretary Mnuchin indicated the two sides are divided over several priorities, that the two were still “far apart” on some issues and that politics were “part of the reality.” He said, “At this point, getting something done before the election and executing on that would be difficult just given where we are and the level of detail, but we’re going to try to continue to work through these issues.”
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the Senate would vote next week on a slimmed-down $500 billion COVID-19 bill, which he expects the minority to reject.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Speaker Pelosi and Secretary Mnuchin as they and their aids continue working toward an agreement on additional economic relief.
- For Leader McConnell and his call for a vote in the Senate on a “skinny” relief bill.
- For Americans who remain unemployed, in danger of losing their homes in foreclosure or landlord eviction, and the continued uncertainty about the threat of the coronavirus.
Sources: Reuters, Washington Examiner
