Coronavirus stimulus package: Republicans scramble for deal

The White House and Congress have just one day to come up with a compromise on unemployment benefits before the coronavirus-era boost expires on Friday.

After Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell unveiled Republican’s $1 trillion stimulus package on Monday, negotiations stalled on Capitol Hill.

The plan included cutting an unemployment boost included in a previous package from $600-per-week on top of state benefits to $200. 

The GOP’s goal regarding unemployment benefits is also to phase out the flat-rate boost 60 days after it’s passed and then cap benefits at 70 per cent of the individual’s pre-coronavirus wages. 

The $600-per-week bolstered benefits will run out on Friday as White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows revealed Wednesday, ‘We’re nowhere close to a deal.’

While Democrats, Republicans and the White House have all signaled their willingness to reach a deal and expressed urgency over the matter, none seem willing to compromise on certain key points – including what to do with the expiring enhanced unemployment insurance provisions. 

Shortly after McConnell unveiled the Republican package from the Senate floor Monday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi railed against the proposal.

‘Why are you quibbling over $600 when people need that to buy food, pay rent?’ the California Democrat lamented.

Republicans are scrambling to reach a deal on the next coronavirus stimulus package as enhanced unemployment insurance benefits are set to expire on Friday, as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's proposal was rebuked on Monday

Republicans are scrambling to reach a deal on the next coronavirus stimulus package as enhanced unemployment insurance benefits are set to expire on Friday, as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s proposal was rebuked on Monday 

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin (left) and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows (right) have spent the last week on Capitol Hill meeting with Republicans and Democrats to negotiate a compromise

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin (left) and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows (right) have spent the last week on Capitol Hill meeting with Republicans and Democrats to negotiate a compromise

Democrats do not want to accept Republicans' proposal to slash the unemployment benefits boost of $600-per-week to $200, while many in the GOP do not want to pass another $1 trillion package in general

Democrats do not want to accept Republicans’ proposal to slash the unemployment benefits boost of $600-per-week to $200, while many in the GOP do not want to pass another $1 trillion package in general 

Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin have spent the last week negotiating with Republicans at the Capitol on behalf of the president.

While Trump doesn’t mind stimulus bills with high price tags, there are many fiscal conservatives who will not jump on board another sweeping stimulus package.

Republicans who object to big government spending, like Senators Lindsey Graham, Ted Cruz and Rand Paul, reveal that at least 50 per cent of GOP lawmakers will not vote in favor of any new sweeping legislation.

While Meadows wants to make Republican demands prominent in the bill, Mnuchin, who has a history of successful negotiations with Democrats, has his heart set on making a deal with the opposition party.

Mnuchin and Meadows have met with Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer three days in a row and are expected to hold talks again on Thursday.

Over the weekend and earlier this week, the White House duo met with Republicans to try and reach a deal among in-party fighting to provide the much-needed economic relief to Americans in the midst of the prevailing pandemic.

The unemployment boost expiration comes as the death toll in the U.S. hits 150,000 and there are more than 4.4 million confirmed cases amid a recent surge in the sun belt.

States experiencing surges, like Florida, Texas and Southern California, were forced to reinstate partial or, in some cases, full lockdowns, furthering economic struggles among populations in those regions.

When the coronavirus crisis hit and the nation began lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, millions were furloughed or put out of work, whether it was temporarily or permanently. The jobless and unemployment numbers reached an all-time-high.

While McConnell’s proposal appears to be dead on arrival, with Democrats and Republicans rebuking the measure, other GOP lawmakers are looking to reach a compromise with their versions.

Senator Mitt Romney laid out his proposal Wednesday night and Senator Ron Johnson will put out his own proposal later in the day Thursday as lawmakers scramble to agree on something before the benefits’ expiration.

The coronavirus pandemic launched the U.S. into the biggest jobless crisis int he history of recorded statistics on unemployment ¿ leaving millions without a job, either temporarily or permanently

The coronavirus pandemic launched the U.S. into the biggest jobless crisis int he history of recorded statistics on unemployment – leaving millions without a job, either temporarily or permanently

Romney’s plan would prioritize enhancing pay for essential workers making less than $90,000, rather than boosting unemployment and further incentivizing individuals to not go back to work.

Johnson’s proposal would give Americans 66 per cent of their wages – or some other amount less than the previous $600 boost.

Other Republicans are likely to unveil their own proposals to tackle the unemployment insurance issue on Thursday.

Republican's proposal would include another round of $1,200 relief checks for Americans

Republican’s proposal would include another round of $1,200 relief checks for Americans

‘There’s a deal to be made, a much greater number than where Senate Republicans are, and somewhat less than where House Democrats are on unemployment that can be reached by Friday,’ a senior administration official said, according to Politico.

‘There’s a PPP extension satisfactory to Democrats, funding [community development financial institutions], renter eviction protection,’ the official continues.

McConnell’s bill also included a second round of $1,200 relief checks for Americans, a measure Republicans were sure would appease Democrats.

The package, he announced Monday, would also allocate $100 billion for schools as the president pushes for them to reopen in the fall.

During a closed-door lunch meeting with Republican senators on Capitol Hill Tuesday afternoon, Meadows, joined by Mnuchin, said he had no problem saying ‘no’ to Pelosi and Schumer’s demands.

‘I’m comfortable saying ‘no’ and being the skunk at the garden party,’ Meadows insisted.

source: dailymail.co.uk