Pelosi “Not Being Serious”: White House Responds After Dems Reject Latest Stimulus Proposal

Update (1440ET): Elaborating in an interview with Bloomberg TV, Pelosi said that the Democrats won’t simply accept whatever the White House officers just to get a deal done.

“This isn’t half a loaf. What they’re offering is the heel of the loaf,” she said, adding “We’re hopeful we can reach agreement because the needs of the American people are so great.”

Talks between Pelosi and Mnuchin continue with 1 p.m. call today, but the speaker expressed skepticism to her colleagues earlier Thursday of the chances of a deal. The two met for about 90 minutes Wednesday without coming to an agreement, although Mnuchin said progress was made.

At a news conference after the call, Pelosi said the two sides are still far apart on the total amount of stimulus and how it would be apportioned. Many of the same sticking points that have resulted in the current stalemate, including aid to state and local government, remain. –Bloomberg

Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters on Thursday that the Trump administration has put forth a “good proposal” which compromised on spending levels, but that Democrats are being unreasonable and seeking unacceptable provisions.

“First I would say Nancy Pelosi is not being serious,” said McEnany, adding “If she becomes serious then we can have a discussion here.”

House Democrats have proposed a $2.2 trillion stimulus package, while Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin offered a maximum of $1.6 trillion – some of which would be covered by unused small business relief funds, according to the report.

“I think that the president made a very good and generous offer that addresses most if not all — the vast majority of issues,” said White House Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows on Wednesday night “And yet we’re still apart on money and the priorities for that allocation. Discussions will continue.”

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Nancy Pelosi on Thursday said she’s ‘VERY skeptical about a deal’ over the next round of pandemic stimulus, following Wednesday discussions with Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin.

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Speaking on a Democratic whip call, Pelosi said Republicans and Democrats ‘don’t share the same values,’ citing the child income tax credit, and that Democrats ‘have gone down significantly’ in their demands, while Republicans ‘are at 0,’ according to Politico‘s Jake Sherman.

PELOSI gave several examples on the private Democratic call about how far Rs and Ds are apart:

She said that Republicans refuse to peel back a biz tax credit, and, at the same time, won’t do anything for children — referring to the tax credit.

— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) October 1, 2020

Pelosi’s comments jolted stocks downward in Thursday trading. 

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On Wednesday, Democrats delayed a vote on their own $2.2 trillion proposal in order to allow for further negotiation, saying that the two sides must agree by Thursday or the high-wire talks will collapse, according to the NY Daily News.

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Despite progress, insiders caution it’s a long shot to expect any important bipartisan compromise so close to a presidential vote.

Underlining the stakes for the American people, airlines went ahead with furloughs of tens of thousands of workers after a provision in a previous stimulus measure expired.

A new measure would likely include a new round of $1,200 checks to taxpayers and some version of the federal weekly emergency unemployment assistance, which was pegged at $600. It would also extend aid to small businesses and airlines. –NY Daily News

Alas for the American people, Wednesday’s ‘hopeful’ progress was dashed by Pelosi’s Thursday pessimism.

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Yet, another Politico reporter, Heather Caygle says her Democratic sources are reporting a “small chance” of a deal.

Dems tell me “small chance” of a deal https://t.co/i0oFDvqDgy

— Heather Caygle (@heatherscope) October 1, 2020