See why nearly a quarter of a million subscribers begin their day with the Starting 5. This bill would provide a $600 weekly unemployment benefit. While Democratic leaders had remained outwardly united during stimulus negotiations, one of the first signs that they were growing impatient with their leadership was a letter to Mrs. Pelosi from Rep. Cindy Axne (D-Iowa). Say what? Although McConnell committed to take up a compromise bill "at some point," several prominent Republican lawmakers have staunchly opposed such a high level of spending, raising concerns about the rapidly growing national debt. Click to subscribe! You may opt-out by. "For the life of me I don't know why more people aren't calling for a deal to be done - millions are suffering and any functioning government would have passed additional relief months ago," Yang wrote. McConnell said the economic recovery justified a … The current hangup surrounds language in the bill regarding the federal government's plans to respond to the pandemic, as new infections surge across the country. "I mean let's remember the Republican Party, the president, [Treasury Secretary Steven] Mnuchin—two months ago, they didn't want to do anything.". "When we go into negotiation, it's about the allocation of the resources,” Pelosi said Thursday in response to a question about her $2.2 trillion floor in negotiations, “but it's hard to see how we can go any lower when you only have greater needs." said that she would be “hesitant to make a commitment about a level that is that high," CNN reported. Nov. 6, 2020 at 1:40 pm Updated Nov. 6, 2020 at 1:42 pm . House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) at a press briefing on Thursday. I completed my master’s degree in business and economic reporting at New York University. What about the prominent Democrats Blitzer cited who have been pushing -- publicly and privately -- Pelosi to make a deal? Before becoming a journalist, I worked as a paralegal specializing in corporate compliance. ERICA WERNER. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. By . ), This was all bad from Pelosi. The question on everybody's mind is whether she'll listen to their pleas. She plans a vote this weekend on the Delivering for America Act, which would provide funding for the Postal Service and prohibit the Postal Service from making certain operational changes to save money. Comments are subject to our community guidelines, which can be viewed, This week, Mitch McConnell said that a new relief bill is 'job one' when Congress returns, On Friday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she is 'calling on the administration to come back to the table', Pelosi has called for Republicans to restart aid talks that fell apart before the election, saying the 'imperative to act could not be greater', Stimulus Check: USA government check, payment, Senate Majority Leader McConnell said this week that a new relief bill is “job one” when Congress returns, all the most significant stimulus programs are expected to expire on December 31, 2020, Both sides are negotiating a $2trillion package, Rep. Cindy Axne (D-Iowa) addressed President Trump, McConnell and Pelosi, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Asked if she had spoken to President Donald Trump about the possibility of a coronavirus stimulus deal, Pelosi said she doesn't "speak to the President." “Not only is a relief package desperately overdue to the American people, but we are seeing cases of COVID-19 rapidly raising around the country,” she wrote in her letter. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was an early voice saying that even the massive third stimulus package wasn't big enough. (Forbes), I'm a breaking news reporter for Forbes focusing on economic policy and capital markets. Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Mrs. Pelosi also rejected an offer to pass a more targeted stimulus bill based on those items the parties agreed on. Mitch McConnell and Nancy Pelosi both called for a coronavirus stimulus package as final 2020 election results are counted. He pointed out that Senate Republicans have not committed to the deal, saying if House Democrats passed it now, the focus of the country would shift its attention to them. ", Hammill also pointed fingers at Senate Republicans, saying that it's "clear that our progress depends on [Senate Majority] Leader [Mitch] McConnell agreeing to bipartisan, comprehensive legislation.". Will It Break The Stalemate? Regarding the Heroes Act, passed by House Democrats in May, she said, “Finally, I must insist that the next package does not include special favors and handouts. It doesn't identify a specific unemployment benefit amount. Why? During negotiations with Republican leaders, Mrs. Pelosi turned down an offer to extend the $600 unemployment benefit while the parties continued negotiations. He also signed executive actions on an eviction moratorium, student loan relief, and a payroll tax holiday. But the point is this: If you are the Speaker of the House and agree to an interview in the midst of a contentious debate over a coronavirus stimulus package three weeks before a presidential election, you can't act surprised -- or outraged -- when you get asked about the coronavirus stimulus package and whether or not you've spoken to the President of the United States about it. Pelosi has also called for Republicans to restart aid talks that fell apart before the election, saying the “imperative to act could not be greater.”. To continue reading login or create an account. BOTH Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell are making the coronavirus stimulus bill their top priority now that the election is over. Pelosi’s comments come after Senate Majority Leader McConnell said this week that a new relief bill is “job one” when Congress returns. "She most certainly is making a mistake," Rose said when asked about Pelosi's rejection of the latest White House deal. That doesn’t mean that House lawmakers must physically remain in Washington, however—they’ll be able to return home and be recalled to the Capitol for a vote if necessary. They need action right now," Rose said. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. “As I’ve said repeatedly in the last few months, we need another rescue package. The CARES Act, which was passed in March, provided financial assistance to millions of Americans who were left unemployed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Will It Break The Stalemate. By including things like tax breaks that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthy, $100 million for chartered fishing, expanded PPP eligibility for big oil and pharmaceutical lobbying groups, we fail to demonstrate the focus the American people ask of us.”. BOTH Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell are making the coronavirus stimulus bill their top priority now that the election is over. Both sides are negotiating a $2trillion package that includes $1,200 stimulus checks, unemployment benefits, small business aid, state and local funding. Stimulus talks set to resume in Washington, but Pelosi and McConnell are at odds again . County executive explains, CNN's Collins reports on mood inside the West Wing, Meet the candidates who made history in the 2020 election, Arizona vote counting site preparing for more protests, Ana Navarro: What happened in Miami may not happen in Arizona, Dana Bash reports on Trump's mood as Biden eyes 270, Democrats' bid for control of the Senate comes up short, Biden on election night: Your patience is commendable, hugely contentious interview with Wolf Blitzer. “I urge you to act swiftly to reach a full agreement to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and provide relief to Americans who are suffering from the economic fallout. We feed them, we feed them.". However, all the most significant stimulus programs are expected to expire on December 31, 2020. Rob is a Contributing Editor for Forbes Advisor, host of the Financial Freedom Show, and the author of Retire Before Mom and Dad--The Simple Numbers Behind a Lifetime of. Rob is a Contributing Editor for Forbes Advisor, host of the Financial Freedom Show, and the author of Retire Before Mom and Dad--The Simple Numbers Behind a Lifetime of Financial Freedom. She stated in a PBS NewsHour interview that the House would not vote this weekend on an unemployment package. On the whole, it was a decidedly embarrassing performance by the Speaker of the House. EY & Citi On The Importance Of Resilience And Innovation, Impact 50: Investors Seeking Profit — And Pushing For Change, See which states have applied for the $300 unemployment benefit, Retire Before Mom and Dad--The Simple Numbers Behind a Lifetime of, Retire Before Mom and Dad--The Simple Numbers Behind a Lifetime of Financial Freedom. On the same day, 117 House Democrats who are part of the New Democratic Coalition also sent a letter to Mrs. Pelosi. And boy did it show in a hugely contentious interview with Wolf Blitzer on Tuesday, when the CNN anchor simply pressed Pelosi on her approach to a coronavirus stimulus package deal. And I'll note here that I believe Pelosi to be the best congressional strategist of her generation -- bar none. While the purpose of bringing the House back into session was the Postal Service, many see it as an opportunity to vote on certain stimulus measures and to resume negotiations. Pressed on why not -- given the suffering of people in desperate need of a stimulus deal to keep their business open or pay their bills -- Pelosi responded this way: "What makes me amused if it weren't so sad, is how you all think that you know more about the suffering of the American people than those of us who are elected by them to represent them at that table.". At the time, President Donald Trump and Republicans largely dismissed the package as a Democratic "wish list." I'm a breaking news reporter for Forbes focusing on economic policy and capital markets. Negotiations have continued from there, with the White House's most recent offer standing at about $1.9 trillion while House Democrats passed a $2.2 trillion bill at the beginning of October. (CNN)House Speaker Nancy Pelosi isn't used to being questioned about her strategic decisions. The top policymakers in Washington weighed in on when Congress may be able to pass another coronavirus stimulus package after the 2020 election. In an odd turn of events in an already bizarre negotiation over a fifth stimulus package, House Democrats are urging Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to move on a stimulus bill that includes a second stimulus check and extra unemployment benefits.