Mnuchin, Pelosi Set a Deadline This Week to Get New Multi-Trillion Dollar Stimulus Deal
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have finally agreed on another stimulus package and might draft the bill anytime before the election.
As the election nears, both negotiators are receiving mounting pressures not only from their colleagues but also from millions of Americans who need stimulus aid amid the pandemic.
After a series of negotiations and talks, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have finally found their common ground.
Pelosi told MSNBC on Thursday that Mnuchin continues to talk with her over another stimulus package. She added that they are both ready to "put pen to paper" soon. That means that they will draft the stimulus bill this week or anytime before the election.
She also assured hours later in a press conference that the stimulus package can happen. She also said it is up to the Republican senators to accept the stimulus bill after passing the Congress.
With this, there is now a great chance that the stimulus bill will have enough votes from the Senate as more Republican senators expressed their support toward a bigger stimulus.
The second round of stimulus package includes direct stimulus checks, funding for school reopening, state and local funding, COVID-19 testing and treatment, and more. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is also part of the new round of stimulus package, as this is one of the two parties' priorities.
Meanwhile, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi both agreed to have their final agreement within this week. They also aim to pass the bill in Congress and the Senate before the election.
This would not be possible if President Donald Trump did not pressure Pelosi and slammed her for her delaying tactics.
Meadows also told Fox News on Wednesday that both parties have one goal, and that is to strike a deal within 48 hours or on Friday. Meadows further noted that the negotiation now is not about the amount but on the provisions and qualifications.
It is still unclear as to how much the next stimulus package will be, but it can be remembered that Pelosi said she would seal the deal if the White House gives the amount she needs. Trump has already said that he can offer an amount bigger than the amount that Republicans and Democrats can offer.
There is a possibility that the next stimulus package beneficiaries will receive a larger amount. It can be remembered that in the previous $1.8 trillion stimulus package, the Trump administration has increased the $500 dependent payments to $1,000.
If Pelosi and the White House have seal a deal, it means that the aid is likely bigger than what everyone expected. Pelosi said: "I'm pretty happy. I think we have a prospect for an agreement. I do not believe that our timetable has come and gone."
This has become possible because of Trump's effort and persistence to have a new stimulus package. Even though Trump was already told many times that signing a law for another stimulus bill will not help his reelection bid, he continues to push for it.
The president aims to help millions of Americans and not to play politics.
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