A day after Democratic leaders said in television interviews that they continued to want a legislative solution to the cessation of a coronavirus aid, President Trump falsely tweeted that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer only wanted “BAILOUT MONEY [sic] for Democrat [sic] run states and cities.”
So now Schumer and Pelosi want to meet to make a deal. Amazing how it all works, isn’t it. Where have they been for the last 4 weeks when they were “hardliners”, and only wanted BAILOUT MONEY for Democrat run states and cities that are failing badly? They know my phone number!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10, 2020
On Friday, Pelosi stated that Democrats lowered the cost of their relief package by one trillion dollars while negotiating with White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. (Trump was golfing at his Bedminster golf course and was not part of negotiations.)
During television interviews yesterday, Schumer said the republicans failed to negotiate in good faith, refusing to discuss any part of the Democratic package, which passed the House in May.
Trump signed one executive order and three memos at an even at his New Jersey golf club Saturday which, he claims, would provide relief to Americans. None of the actions, however, have sufficient funding or existing processes to be implemented immediately. Additionally, they all incorporate either deferred payment of funds that essentially kick the can down the road without addressing immediate needs.
Most legal and Constitutional pundits have questioned the legitimacy of Trump’s orders, saying that any spending would require Constitutional approval, however republicans do not have enough votes in the Senate to pass any proposed aid legislation.
Schumer said of Trump’s theatrics, “These executive orders are laughable,” and republican Senator Ben Sasse called them “unconstitutional slop” which earned him a Monday attack on Trump’s Twitter feed.