The day after key aid programs from the first coronavirus relief package expired, White House officials and Congressional Democrats continue to negotiate on the next round of aid, the Associated Press reports, but the positions are far apart, both sides said.
On Friday, a $600 federal supplement to unemployment benefits expired, as did protections against evictions for renters and mortgage payers.
Democrats passed a sweeping $3 trillion relief bill back in May, which would extend these programs, as well as provide financial relief to states and municipalities which are taking a financial blow due to increased expenditures coupled with lower tax revenues.
In the Senate, a $1 trillion draft relief bill will likely fail to get enough republicans to pass it, even with unlikely Democratic support. The draft called for a significant cut to unemployment support, and it did nothing to support local governments.
The initial White House offering Thursday, in an effort led by Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, called for a one-week extension of the supplemental unemployment payment and no rent or mortgage relief. It also did not address the financial predicament of state and local governments.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer are leading the Democrats’ effort to negotiate a deal.
“Clearly they did not understand the gravity of the situation,” Pelosi said according to the AP. A short-term extension only makes sense if the two sides are close to a deal, she added. “Why don’t we just get the job done?”