McConnell to Trump: Next coronavirus bill must be under $1 trillion

During a meeting at the White House on Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell stressed to President Trump that the next coronavirus relief package cannot exceed $1 trillion, and should be narrowly focused on getting money in people’s hands immediately, sources familiar with the meeting tell Axios.

The big picture: Senate Republicans’ backlash against House Democrats’ $3 trillion bill has been so severe that it has eased pressure on McConnell to act instantly on a “phase 4” bill, and McConnell is focused on ensuring that the next bill is much smaller.

Details: McConnell told Trump the bill needs to be tailored toward short-term economic relief and create incentives for people to get back to work.

• He said he worries that additional unemployment payments will discourage people from working, and instead suggested supplementing some workers’ paychecks. Continue reading.