Pelosi: New COVID-19 relief package coming soon

Pelosi and Mnuchin have since spoken by phone since the original deal fell through on Aug. 7

Sep 27, 2020

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi thinks a deal can be reached with the White House on another COVID-19 relief package.

Pelosi, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, are all working to pass the relief package that fell apart in early August.

Pelosi and Mnuchin have since spoken by phone.

“We are having our conversations. And when I have a conversation with the administration, it is in good faith,” Pelosi said on CNN. “I trust Secretary Mnuchin to represent something that can reach a solution. And I believe we can come to an agreement.”

“What we will be putting forth is a proffer to say: Now, let us negotiate within a time frame and a dollar amount to get the job done to put money in people’s pockets, to honor our heroes and to crush the virus,” Pelosi said.

“I think we have a chance to get something done.”

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) holds a weekly press conference at the Capitol on September 24, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Liz Lynch/Getty Images)

The Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal said Democrats are drafting a bill of at least $2.2 trillion on Thursday, according to Reuters.

Pelosi said on Sunday that it was “definitely a possibility” that legislation regarding COVID-19 relief is coming in a matter of days.

However, a Democratic-led House legislation might not advance in the Senate, controlled by Republicans who support the Trump administration.

Pelosi has insisted that she is more interested in a deal than having a “rhetorical argument” with the White House.

Originally, Pelosi and Schumer proposed a $3.4 trillion relief package, but they scaled back their demands in order to find common ground with the Trump administration.

The Senate GOP suddenly found the energy to fill a SCOTUS vacancy, but are still delaying a covid relief bill that would help everyday Americans.

Funny that.
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) September 23, 2020