New stimulus deal ‘could be agreed on by TOMORROW’ after latest talks, White House says
A NEW stimulus deal "could be agreed by tomorrow" after the latest talks, the White House has said.
Chief of Staff Mark Meadows added that he was "optimistic" about the coronavirus stimulus bill - adding that both sides "share one goal, and that is hopefully to get some kind of deal in the next 48 hours or so."
⚠️ Follow ourfor the latest news & updates
for hours on Tuesday.
Meadows said negotiations have shifted toward crafting specific language for the legislation, so as long as the two side can agree upon a final number.
"We're still apart. Still a number of issues to work on, but the last 24 hours have moved the ball down the field," Meadows said.
The White House's most recent offer was a $1.8trillion stimulus package, which was struck down by .
Democrats and Republicans sharply disagree over the size and scope of another relief bill and are billions of dollars apart in their proposals.
The issues both parties come across are virus testing plan, aid to state and local governments and tax cuts for low and middle income families.
Pelosi and spoke for about an hour on both Monday and Tuesday but could not reach an agreement - despite the House Speaker's self imposed deadline on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday after her meeting with Mnuchin, Pelosi said both parties are "closer" when it comes to an agreement.
Pelosi added that she hoped to get a deal finalized by the end of the week and: "That's the plan. That's what I would hope," she said.
"We are starting to write a bill. We all want to get to an agreement."
Even if a deal is agreed upon, Senate Republicans could still loom as a roadblock – as a number of GOP members are hesitant at a stimulus of the scale of $1.8trillion or more.
House Democrats are pushing for $2.2trillion, while said that he could embrace a number “even bigger than the Democrats.”
On Sunday, to agree to a stimulus deal if they want to pass the relief bill before the election.
However, during an interview with Tuesday Pelsoi said there isn’t actually a deadline today.
Instead, Tuesday is the day where both sides would “have our terms on the table.”
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“Let me just say what the 48-hours was designed to do. For us to exchange all the unresolved issues. What is your best language, what is our best language and let’s see where we are.
“Now let’s weigh the equities, we all want to get an agreement because people need it and it’s urgent and our economy needs it. So hopefully by the end of the day today we’ll know where we all are," Pelosi said.