The $600 weekly checks stop tomorrow and the Senate adjourned for the weekend without a deal to extend coronavirus relief payments. Politico writes:
“It happened. The Senate left town knowing that failed negotiations would ensure the expiration of enhanced jobless benefits for millions of Americans laid off and furloughed amid the coronavirus pandemic. Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer met late into the night Thursday with White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, hoping to break the impasse. But they got nowhere and emerged with acrimony and finger-pointing.“
CNBC ads: “Democrats have said the GOP waffled on the need for coronavirus aid throughout June and July, before turning to address a rescue package only a couple weeks before the unemployment benefit expires. After the meeting Thursday, Schumer said, “We just don’t think they understand the gravity of the problem.
“Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell accused Democrats of refusing to “engage” with the GOP after it released its coronavirus relief proposal on Monday. Republicans unveiled the plan more than two months after the House passed its legislation, which Democrats considered their opening offer in the next round of aid discussions.”
Meanwhile, the Washington Post reports the White House is willing to agree to a new deal that doesn’t include liability protection for businesses, long a priority of Republican leadership in the Senate.
“One of the people familiar with the administration’s thinking said the measure was “considered important but not absolutely essential.”
