WASHINGTON (AP) – The differences over the next coronavirus aid package are vast: Democrats propose $3 trillion in relief and Republicans have a $1 trillion counteroffer. At stake are millions of Americans’ jobless benefits, school reopenings and eviction protections.
As top White House negotiators returned to Capitol Hill on Tuesday, the leverage is apparent. They are meeting in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office. Republicans are so deeply divided over the prospect of big government spending that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is left with a weakened hand.
Striking any agreement between Congress and President Donald Trump by Friday’s deadline for expiring aid will be daunting.
“We cannot afford to fail,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said.
The outcome will be a defining one for the president and the parties heading into the November election as an uneasy nation is watching and waiting for Washington to bring some end to the health crisis and devastating economic fallout.