This Thursday is a crucial day in the negotiations of the Democrats and the federal government to reach an agreement that allows Congress to vote on the new economic aid package for the pandemic before the summer recess. While, President Donald Trump is preparing to sign an executive order to carry out his proposal without consulting lawmakers.
Mark Meadows, the White House chief of staff; Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Democratic Senator from New York Chuck Schumer met in the afternoon in the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, Democrat from New York, to continue negotiations.
“The commitment must carry a dollar sign”said Meadows, who warned that there would be “very little incentive” to continue the talks if there was no agreement on the full amount of the legislative aid package.
Before entering the meeting, Schumer criticized the White House for imposing a deadline for the deal and for threatening to skip Congress in the absence of a pact.
“Everyone would agree that it is much better to come to an agreement,” Schumer said when asked about the prospect of an executive order.
But spirits in Washington DC had already warmed up even before the meeting.
Pelosi said Thursday morning that Republicans “don’t give a damn” about the situation facing more than 25 million Americans who have lost their jobs and have also stopped receiving $ 600 weekly aid approved in the first economic stimulus package.
“We are at a standstill right now,” said Senate Appropriations Committee chairman, Alabama Republican Richard Shelby, according to the newspaper. The Washington Post.
Weekly aid is one of the points that separates Democrats and Republicans. The former push for the extension of the benefit until the end of the year, while the Government’s plan is to reduce the amount to $ 200. Until Wednesday, it was believed that they could reach an agreement around $ 400 a week.
[Se termina el apoyo económico de 600 dólares semanales para los desempleados]
The negotiations also face the vacations scheduled by the senators and members of the Lower House, who will not be next week. Although congressmen can be called to participate in an extraordinary session if necessary.
The self-imposed goal by Democratic and government negotiators was to reach an agreement before the end of this week, to vote on the proposal next week, due to the end of financial aid from the first aid package, which has left 25 million people who lost their jobs to the coronavirus without the weekly benefit. This Saturday also expires the aid program for small businesses.
Given this scenario, Trump is preparing an executive order to be signed this Friday or Saturday, with which he would extend the benefits without consulting Congress.
Additionally, the president said he was seeking to suspend payroll tax and tenant evictions, or evictions.
“My Administration is reviewing executive actions to protect Americans from evictions, as well as additional help for the unemployed. Very importantly, I am also reviewing a temporary suspension of the payroll tax,” Trump said Wednesday at a conference call. press in the White House.
