Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows are painting a bleak picture of negotiations between Democrats and Republicans over the next coronavirus relief package.
Prior to their meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Mnuchin and Meadows were met with reporters questioning them about the progress being made toward an agreement.
A reporter asked Mnuchin if the Trump administration is considering taking executive action if no progress is made.
“Absolutely,” Mnuchin said.
When asked when they will take executive action, Meadows said, “Hopefully, we’ll make progress today and not have to do that.”
Watch their comments below:
Mnuchin & Meadows emerge from lunch w/ Republican Senators on their way to meet with Pelosi & Schumer.
— Julie Tsirkin (@news_jul) August 4, 2020
Mnuchin now says the admin will “absolutely” consider executive action if a deal isn’t reached. “Hopefully we’ll make progress today and not have to do that.” pic.twitter.com/aa6xZ2D5Vc
Another reporter noted senators said they are not “getting anywhere” on negotiations.
Meadows agreed.
“Secretary Mnuchin is prepared to make a few proposals that hopefully will be passed with enthusiasm and yet we’re a long ways away from striking any kind of a deal,” Meadows said.
Mnuchin argued they will strike deal if Democrats are willing to compromise.
“If the Democrats are serious on negotiating, we can do a deal quickly,” Mnuchin said.
Negotiations have centered around the $600-per-week enhanced unemployment benefit as it expired on Friday.
Appearing on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday, Mnuchin suggested the insurance acts as a disincentive to find a job in some cases, as IJR previously reported.
According to Mnuchin, Republicans have put forth between three and four offers to address the issue of enhanced unemployment benefits.
Pelosi claimed the idea Republicans presented a viable proposal is “not actually factual,” as IJR previously reported.
Schumer weighed in on negotiations calling Republicans’ efforts to slash unemployment benefits “unacceptable.”
Lawmakers have plenty of other issues to consider amid negotiations including whether to extend a moratorium on housing evictions and if Republicans will meet Democrats’ demand for nearly $1 trillion in aid for state and local governments.
