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Negotiators Report Progress in COVID-19 Aid Talks

Associated Press

   WASHINGTON - Lawmakers participating in rare weekend talks on a huge
   coronavirus relief measure reported progress Saturday, as political
   pressure mounted to restore a newly expired $600-per-week supplemental
   unemployment benefit and send funding to help schools reopen.

   ``This was the longest meeting we had and it was more productive than
   the other meetings,'' said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
   ``We're not close yet, but it was a productive discussion -- now each
   side knows where they're at."

   Schumer spoke alongside House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., after
   meeting for three hours with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and
   White House chief of staff Mark Meadows.

   Schumer said the officials would meet Monday and their staffs would
   meet Sunday.

   The Democratic duo is eager for an expansive agreement, as are
   President Donald Trump and top Republicans like Senate Majority Leader
   Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. But perhaps one-half of Senate
   Republicans, mostly conservatives and those not facing difficult races
   this fall, are likely to oppose any deal.

   Prior talks yielded little progress. The administration is willing to
   extend the $600 jobless benefit, at least in the short term, but is
   balking at other Democratic demands like aid for state and local
   governments, food stamp increases, and assistance to renters and
   homeowners.

   Food aid, vote by mail

   Pelosi mentioned food aid and funding for voting by mail after the
   negotiating session was over. She and Schumer appeared more upbeat than
   they have after earlier meetings.

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