Senate Republicans fume as Mnuchin gives ground to Pelosi in search of deal

[Judi Lynn]

The House speaker cites progress in talks, but Republicans say the treasury secretary is capitulating to the Democratic leader

By
Erica Werner and
Jeff Stein
Oct. 22, 2020 at 12:37 p.m. CDT

Senate Republicans are growing increasingly frustrated with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin as he makes what they see as unacceptable compromises in his quest for a stimulus deal with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, multiple people familiar with the talks said Thursday.

Mnuchin has committed to a top-line figure of around $1.9 trillion, much too high for many Senate Republicans to swallow. That includes at least $300 billion for state and local aid, also a non-starter for many in the GOP.

The treasury secretary is also giving ground on multiple specific policy issues, such as reducing payments that Republicans wanted to go to farmers so that some of the money would go for food boxes instead, according to two people involved in the talks who, like others interviewed, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the developments. He has left open the possibility of allowing even more money to flow to states and localities via Community Development Block Grants sought by Democrats.

“He negotiates harder with his own side than he does with her. Folks over here are sick of it,” said one Senate GOP aide who added that Republicans were “reaching a boiling point with him” as Mnuchin “gives and gives and gives and gets nothing in return.”

More:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/10/22/trump-congress-coronavirus-bailout/

[kacekwl]

1. The country needs help and they know it. We need to slam republicans on this and

even stand with the White House for the biggest deal possible. Put the failure on Mitch McConnell and the rest. As trump said , you have to convince them.

[LizBeth]

2. I can't get in to read the article. Does it say anything about UI? How much a week and if extended?