Pelosi, GOP trade barbs over new aid legislation
WASHINGTON — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lashed out Thursday at Trump administration officials and congressional Republicans seeking to slow work on a fresh round of coronavirus relief.
The White House responded minutes later with a threat that President Donald Trump would veto the $3 trillion economic package Democrats have proposed if it reaches his desk.
At a Capitol news conference, Pelosi, D-calif., lambasted Republicans who’ve said they want to hold off for now on more relief spending.
“It’s amazing to me how much patience and how much tolerance someone can have for the pain of others,” she said.
Pelosi told reporters she believed both parties “and even down Pennsylvania Avenue” — a reference to the White House — understand “the hardships Americans are feeling.”
She called the Democratic proposal “our offer” and said that while she has had no recent talks with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, the administration’s chief bargainer, “I’m sure that they’ll come with something.”
White House officials released a statement of their own. It said the legislation Pelosi unveiled Tuesday is “more concerned with delivering on longstanding partisan and ideological wishlists than with enhancing the ability of our Nation to deal with the public health and economic challenges we face.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell said later Thursday on Fox News that there was a “high likelihood” Congress would do another bill and said it would include Gop-sought language limiting legal liability for companies reopening for business. He added, “But it’s not going to be a $3 trillion left-wing wish.”