Mnuchin: Republicans and Democrats Are ‘Very Far Apart’ on Reaching Stimulus Deal

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin revealed on Wednesday Republicans and Democrats are struggling with negotiations over the next coronavirus relief bill.

Speaking to reporters alongside President Donald Trump at the White House, Mnuchin claimed the two parties are nowhere near reaching an agreement.

“As of now, we’re very far apart. Because of that, the president and we have discussed a short term extension to UI and the evictions so that we have some period to negotiate before this runs out,” Mnuchin said.

Trump chimed in emphasizing the administration’s goal to take care of Americans.

“We want to work on the evictions so people don’t get evicted. You work on the payments to the people and the rest of it, we’re so far apart we don’t care,” Trump said.

He added, “We really don’t care. We want to take care of the people.”

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Trump accused Democrats of not “taking care” of the American people.

“They’re not making the payments. They’re not making them high enough. The Democrats are not taking care of the people,” Trump said.

Both Republicans and Democrats pushed back against the $1 trillion coronavirus relief proposal introduced by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), as IJR previously reported.

Several Republican senators believe the package costs too much while Democrats are calling it small.

The proposal comes just days before enhanced unemployment benefits are set to expire.

Under the new relief package, the federal benefit would be cut by $400 from $600 to $200.

Direct payments would consist of $1,200 for individuals, and the proposal would provide billions in loans for small businesses, support for hospitals, and measures to assist schools with the process of reopening.

The proposal comes as the number of coronavirus cases has passed 4.3 million in the United States with the death toll reaching more than 149,000.