With negotiations on a second coronavirus aid package still at a stalemate, lawmakers have left Capitol Hill seemingly with no resolve in the near future.
The Senate officially adjourned on Thursday until Labor Day, while millions of people in the United States continue to face unemployment and economic uncertainty due to the pandemic.
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The cornerstone of the disagreements between Democrats and Republicans is how much to spend on the package, with Democrats wanting a starting number of $2 trillion, double what Republicans have proposed.
Democrats initially wanted $3.7 trillion unless Republicans agree to reverse much of the 2017 tax cut law, which would lower the Democratic proposal to $3.4 trillion, which is still more than the first $3 trillion aid package passed in May.
Republicans have offered $1 trillion, an offer House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has made clear she won’t accept.
GOP lawmakers have also expressed their opposition to Democrats’ proposals to provide $1 trillion for state and local governments as well as $25 billion for the U.S. Postal Service, which is facing major financial strains.
“This hang-up over sending almost $1 trillion down to the state and local government … We’ve already sent them $150 billion, and they’ve only spent 25% of what we sent them before,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. “So, take that off the table, and let’s get this assistance directly to the people who need it.”
Pelosi painted Republicans as “not giving a damn” and warned that people will die if lawmakers wait until September to resume their negotiations.
Congress’s inability to reach a deal prompted action from President Trump, who signed several measures over the weekend to provide immediate financial aid to people who are unemployed, protect people from evictions, offer student loan relief, and defer payroll tax payments.
