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In Fractious Washington, Debate Starts on New Coronavirus Relief Plan

Ken Bredemeier

   WASHINGTON - U.S. Lawmakers returned to Washington on Monday, facing
   crucial negotiations with President Donald Trump over the scope of a
   new funding package to combat the vast health and economic effects of
   the coronavirus pandemic in the United States.

   The number of newly confirmed infections has soared past 70,000 a day
   in the U.S. in the past week, and $600-a-week federal payments to
   millions of unemployed workers are expiring at the end of July. But
   Trump and his Republican cohorts in Congress and opposition Democrats
   have yet to reach a consensus on what new aid to approve and how much
   money to spend.

   Months ago, the White House and Congress approved a package of bills
   totaling more than $3 trillion, and there was unusual bipartisan
   agreement. But now, in what is likely to be the last coronavirus
   spending deal before the presidential and congressional elections on
   November3, Trump, Republican lawmakers and Democrats are voicing an
   array of coronavirus priorities they need to tackle before Congress
   leaves Washington in three weeks for its annual August recess. It won't
   return until September.

   White House meeting

   Trump met Monday with two top Republicans, Senate Majority Leader Mitch
   McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, along with Treasury
   Secretary Steven Mnuchin, before they begin what are expected to be
   contentious negotiations with Democratic leaders.

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