Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and White House chief of Staff Mark Meadowsplan to speak Thursday afternoon, sources said, restarting negotiations on a much-needed coronavirus stimulus package that have been at a standstill for the past three weeks.
The call will happen at 2:30 p.m., sources on Capitol Hill and at the White House said. It will mark the first time Pelosi will have spoken to White House negotiators about a pandemic relief package since Aug. 7.
But the two sides are far apart. House Democrats passed a massive $3.4 trillion coronavirus package in May, but it was rejected by Republicans in the White House and the Senate. Senate Republicans offered a $1.1 trillion package — including a $10 billion boost for the U.S. Postal Service — but Meadows is pushing for an even slimmer bill. Continue reading.