For the past few days, Republicans and Democrats have been in talks to strike a deal for a Coronavirus relief package.
However, there has been little to no progress in this regard as the Trump administration has again raised the prospect of a short term plan to address only enhanced unemployment insurance and a federal eviction moratorium while the Democrats have rejected the offer altogether.
The Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says “As of now, we’re very far apart.”
The expiration of the $600-a-week federal enhancement to state unemployment benefits, the expiration of the federal moratorium on evictions, and the increasing CoronaVirus cases in America are some of the several factors that have forced the hands of the Republicans.
Steve Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, to discuss the provisions of the deal.
There have been 4.3 million Covid-19 cases and approximately 150,000 deaths reported in the U.S. In this critical time, a relief package is needed now more than ever, and the sooner an arrangement is made, the better.