President Donald Trump said he is prepared to send another round of direct payments to Americans, but suggested on Friday Democrats are standing in the way.
During his press briefing, a reporter asked Trump if Democrats gave in to some of his demands would he be willing to negotiate with them on the $25 billion for the postal service including the $3.5 billion for mail-in voting.
“Sure, if they give us what we want and it’s not what I want it’s what the American people want,” Trump said.
He added, “In addition to the executive orders that we signed, which are going to be doing terrific things in terms of a payroll tax cut, which is a lot of money coming to a lot of people very quickly. I’ve directed the Secretary of the Treasury to get ready and send direct payments, $3,400, for a family of four to all Americans. Democrats are holding this up.”
Watch his comments below:
President Trump: "I've directed the Secretary of the Treasury to get ready and send direct payments — $3400 — for a family of 4 to all Americans. Democrats are holding this up." pic.twitter.com/DBcVZFXx8u
— The Hill (@thehill) August 14, 2020
Trump signed the executive orders on Saturday after Democrats and Republicans were unable to make progress in negotiations over the next coronavirus relief package, as IJR previously reported.
The president’s executive orders include unemployment relief, a payroll tax cut, “temporary financial assistance” to struggling renters and homeowners, and an extended suspension of interest on student loans.
His comments come just one day after he accused Democrats of being unwilling to negotiate, as IJR previously reported.
Trump said they do not want to negotiate because he refuses to accommodate their “ridiculous” spending demands for things not related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) released a statement on Wednesday in response to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin’s claim the White House will not budge on the “size and scope of a legislative package.”
They noted the Democrats have proposed Republicans bring their package up by $1 trillion and Democrats will bring theirs down by $1 trillion.
Pelosi and Schumer said the only way they are going to return to the table is if Republicans “take this process seriously.”
