White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said the Trump administration is still pushing for direct stimulus payments to Americans, weeks after talks between Democrats and Republicans stalled.
“I even think that we can come up with an agreement on stimulus checks to Americans and enhanced unemployment,” Meadows told reporters on Saturday, suggesting that Democrats are the ones that need to act first. “Those issues are not as divisive as we might think.”
The talks came to a halt over differences over the size and scope of the relief package. Democrats in the House passed a $3.4 trillion bill in May, while Republicans proposed a bill worth about $1 trillion.
Meadows said the White House might again take executive action if no stimulus deal is made.
“Listen, were always looking at options that we can deploy from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.,” he said when asked about President Donald Trump issuing more executive orders. Earlier this month, Trump took executive action to continue $300-per-week stimulus payments, defer student loan payments, defer payroll taxes, and look into placing a moratorium on evictions.
“Never underestimate the dysfunction of Congress, and never underestimate the ability of this president to try to figure a way to meet the needs of the American people,” Meadows added. The chief of staff didnt make clear whether Trump would attempt to issue an executive order on $1,200 stimulus payments, although Trump said earlier this month in a news conference that he would need Congress to authorize such a measure.
The relief packages are intended to offset economic damage caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic.
Meadows said that its important to try and provide economic stimulus measures.
“Lets at least pass what we can all agree to,” Meadows noted.
Meadows said he attempted to meet with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to discuss moving forward with the stimulus package. Pelosi was not available when he arrived, he said.
“I will reach out to the Speaker. I went by. She was in a meeting, and, certainly, as Secretary [Steven] Mnuchin and I, as you know, the secretary reached out a few weeks ago,” he said, referring to the TreRead More From Source
