New relief bill inching forward

Long legislative slog looms as politics hampers pandemic aid

WASHINGTON — Negotiators on a huge coronavirus relief bill reported slight progress after talks resumed Monday in the Capitol, with issues like food for the poor and aid to schools struggling to reopen safely assuming a higher profile in the talks.

Multiple obstacles remain, including an impasse so far on extending a $600-per-week pandemic jobless benefit, funding for the Postal Service and aid to renters facing eviction. Democratic negotiators spoke of progress at almost the very moment that top Senate Republican Mitch Mcconnell was slamming them for taking a hard line in the talks.

All sides predict a long slog ahead. Several more days of talks are expected, if not more, as lawmakers seek to deliver what will likely be the final legislative response to the pandemic before the November election.

After the meeting, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told her Democratic colleagues on a call that she’s hopeful a deal could be reached this week but doesn’t know whether it’s possible, according to a Democratic aide who was granted anonymity to describe the private discussion.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, a lead negotiator for President Donald Trump, said that the administration is not insistent on a small-bore approach centered on extending the supplemental unemployment benefit and leaving other items for later. A GOP move to advance a slimmed-down relief package has been a recent point of conflict.

“We’re open to a bigger package if we can reach an agreement,” Mnuchin said.

Mcconnell, R-KY., reupped his complaint that Democrats are taking too tough a line. Mcconnell is not a direct participant in the talks but is likely to be an important force in closing out any potential agreement.

Speaking to reporters after the twohour session, Democratic negotiators pressed the case for additional food aid, funding for the Postal Service, and the $600-per-week jobless benefit, which lapsed last week. The benefit has helped prop up the economy and family budgets as the novel coronavirus has wrought havoc.

The White House is seeking to provide another round of $1,200 stimulus payments and extend the supplemental jobless benefit and partial eviction ban.

Pelosi appears intent on an agreement as well, but she’s made it clear she needs big money for state and local governments, unemployment benefits and food aid.