Trump urges reluctant Republicans to go higher on coronavirus relief

By Susan Cornwell and David Morgan

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event at the Arizona Grand Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona U.S., September 14, 2020. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump urged his fellow Republicans on Wednesday to go for "much higher numbers" in a coronavirus aid bill, as Washington remained deadlocked over economic relief from the crisis ahead of the Nov. 3 elections.

 

"Go for the much higher numbers, Republicans, it all comes back to the USA anyway (one way or another!)" Trump wrote on Twitter Wednesday. Later in the day he spoke favorably about a proposal for $1.5 trillion in aid made by a bipartisan group of centrist lawmakers.

 

"They're well on their way to suggesting some pretty good things," Trump said about the centrist plan during an evening press conference. "I agree with a lot of it. The things I don't agree with, we can probably negotiate".

 

Senate Republicans, whose last coronavirus aid offer was $300 billion and some of whom would prefer doing nothing more, reacted cautiously to Trump.

 

But Democrats Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Chuck Schumer, the Senate Minority Leader, said in a joint statement they were encouraged and hoped White House negotiators would now "meet us halfway."

 

Pelosi spoke by phone on Wednesday to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who has helped negotiate previous coronavirus aid packages. They talked about a government funding bill, and at the end of the conversation, Pelosi reiterated the points she had made in her statement with Schumer, Pelosi's spokesman said on Twitter.

 

The Washington standoff over coronavirus relief dates to mid-May, when the Democratic-majority House approved $3.4 trillion in new aid, including unemployment benefits, money for schools, the U.S. Postal Service, and testing. Pelosi meanwhile offered to drop the demand to about $2.2 trillion.

 

The Senate's Republican leaders countered with a $1 trillion plan, but some of their own members balked at that. Last week they put a $300 billion bill up for a vote that Democrats blocked as insufficient.

 

Congress and the White House approved more than $3 trillion worth of coronavirus relief measures earlier this year.

 

The Senate's number two Republican John Thune said on Wednesday proposals should stay in a "realistic" range. Noting the original $1 trillion Senate Republican plan, he said: "As you go upwards from there you start ... losing Republican support pretty quickly."

 

The $1.5 trillion compromise floated Tuesday by the House Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan centrist group, was attacked by members of both parties. White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, however, said it deserved consideration.

 

The approaching elections increase the political stakes for Republicans and Democrats. Pelosi faces growing pressure from moderate House Democrats for more action on COVID-19 relief. Some of them welcomed Trump's tweet on Wednesday, including Representative Max Rose, from a competitive congressional district in Staten Island, New York.

 

Rose said leaders of both parties should "Stop the game, stop the stupidity and get to work" on a coronavirus aid plan.

 

Several Senate Republicans said their recent $300 billion offer was about the right amount, signaling doubt they could go higher.

"So the president has his opinion, we have ours," Senator Ron Johnson said.

 

(Reporting by Susan Cornwell and David Morgan; additional reporting by Alexandra Alper and Andrea Shalal; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Timothy Gardner)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-09-17

 

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The funding that Pelosi was asking for and Trump was refusing?

Must be an election thing.

28 minutes ago, Thailand said:

The funding that Pelosi was asking for and Trump was refusing?

Must be an election thing.

If they do not pony up the cash, any chance of a (semi)  recovery has a good chance of failing. Gee Nancy Pelosi knows that, the Dems know that, obviously they care about the US, unlike Republicans. BTW finally someone on Trumps team realized if they don't do it, if the semi-recovery goes stomach up, so does Trumps reelection bid.  I am amazed it took someone on Trumps team this long to see the obvious but. ????  you can't cure ignorance. 

5 minutes ago, LomSak27 said:

If they do not pony up the cash, any chance of a (semi)  recovery has a good chance of failing. Gee Nancy Pelosi knows that, the Dems know that, obviously they care about the US, unlike Republicans. BTW finally someone on Trumps team realized if they don't do it, if the semi-recovery goes stomach up, so does Trumps reelection bid.  I am amazed it took someone on Trumps team this long to see the obvious but. ????  you can't cure ignorance. 

Don't worry...as soon an Biden takes the oath of office...they'll be crying about deficits again..

Tax change in coronavirus stimulus package overwhelmingly benefits millionaires
Change will cost taxpayers nearly $90B in 2020

https://www.foxbusiness.com/money/tax-change-in-coronavirus-stimulus-package-overwhelmingly-benefits-millionaires

Just Donald pandering for votes if he cared he would have been pushing this last month 

1 hour ago, tonray said:

Don't worry...as soon an Biden takes the oath of office...they'll be crying about deficits again..

Once again the Dems will have to clean up mountain of debts caused by Republicans. Heard the budget deficit is now at record 3T and counting.

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The Washington standoff over coronavirus relief dates to mid-May, when the Democratic-majority House approved $3.4 trillion in new aid, including unemployment benefits, money for schools, the U.S. Postal Service, and testing. Pelosi meanwhile offered to drop the demand to about $2.2 trillion.

This is the issue 2.2 and where its earmarked !

"When asked to clarify exactly what the president was asking for in his tweet, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a briefing on Wednesday: “What the president was referring to was the $ 500 billion bill that was passed by the Senate. … does include direct payments. So he wants more than the $ 500 billion, and he is very keen to see those direct stimulus payments and we hope Nancy Pelosi will work with us in good faith".

https://exbulletin.com/politics/390773/

A troll post has been removed

56 minutes ago, Tug said:

Just Donald pandering for votes if he cared he would have been pushing this last month 

The senate voted six  days ago,  but it didn't meet the sixty vote plateau.They, also had issues of were the money is earmarked!

https://www.vox.com/2020/9/10/21429678/senate-stimulus-vote

Edited September 17, 20205 yr by riclag

A trillion here, a trillion there, 3 trillion yearly deficit, and counting, almost 27 trillion national debt, and counting...thank God for the printing press at the Federal Reserve!

 

The road to hell is paved with good intentions, and the road to economic collapse is paved with trillions of fake dollars...

4 hours ago, Tug said:

Just Donald pandering for votes if he cared he would have been pushing this last month 

You might be right, but better late than never, especially for those who will benefit from it.

6 hours ago, tonray said:

Don't worry...as soon an Biden takes the oath of office...they'll be crying about deficits again..

Already are. Don't know if you saw it, but Gary Cohn, former head of the National Economic Council said he's undecided about the election but wants an economic debate before he makes up his mind because he's so concerned about the deficit. This guy was in the Cabinet when they passed the 1.5 Trillion dollar tax cut which he was strongly in favour of. Naturally, the argument was that this would magically pay for itself through economic growth, but of course they were probably trying hard to keep a straight face while doing so.

But talk about chutzpah. This guy is all for 1.5 Trillion dollars of deficit spending on the wealthy and corporations, then suddenly becomes concerned when the election rolls around a couple of years later. This will be the norm the day after the election as the Republicans rediscover their love of fiscal discipline, transparency in governance, strict adherence to the rule of law and reducing the power of the President. 

6 hours ago, tonray said:

Don't worry...as soon an Biden takes the oath of office...they'll be crying about deficits again..

Who could blame them, given the history of Democrat repeatedly having to fix Republican deficits.

 

 

1 hour ago, Katipo said:

You might be right, but better late than never, especially for those who will benefit from it.

You're quite right. Here is one of the rare instances where credit could possibly be given to Trump. That said, let's wait and see who he wants to receive the money and/or tax breaks.

9 minutes ago, PaoloR said:

Another brainless Trumpeter on this site. Taking a leaf out of the orange buffoon's play book. If you can't think of anything useful or factual to say, just disparage the Dems with slander.

Can't wait to see Kamala Harris wipe the floor with Pence in any debate, she is not a mindless follower like him.

If you have a brain pkf - please use it!

Can't wait to see Biden debate Trump...that's going to be something for the ages...

 

As for brains, there is this book from Ann Coulter "If democrats had brains, they would be republicans"...

11 hours ago, webfact said:

"Go for the much higher numbers, Republicans, it all comes back to the USA anyway (one way or another!)"

He's a Philosopher .

34 minutes ago, Brunolem said:

Can't wait to see Biden debate Trump...that's going to be something for the ages...

 

As for brains, there is this book from Ann Coulter "If democrats had brains, they would be republicans"...

Any one with half a brain will quote Ann Coulter. That train wreck attention seeker who will say the most outrageous things that come to her mind person. Trump can debate? Got to be kidding. 

 

4 hours ago, Katipo said:

You might be right, but better late than never, especially for those who will benefit from it.

A good number will benefit and I am in full support. Feeling a bit put off. You see, I am on direct deposit Social Security to my US bank ... but IRS mailed a check to my address on my 2018 Tax Return ... but I have moved, but never mind because due to Covid the check never arrived ... Filed necessary form for missing check ... OK, we can issue a new check and mail it ... ah, no ... there is no mail service ... can you send private carrier? NO. Can you direct deposit? NO ... ho hum ...

Edited September 17, 20205 yr by wwest5829

1 hour ago, Brunolem said:

Can't wait to see Biden debate Trump...that's going to be something for the ages...

 

As for brains, there is this book from Ann Coulter "If democrats had brains, they would be republicans"...

If 45 performs anything like he just did in his disastrous town hall, 45 fans should be very worried. Total meltdown!

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/09/16/trump-shouldnt-have-brought-up-mental-acuity-his-disastrous-town-hall/

 

Quote

 

Trump’s disastrous town hall shows he should never have made mental acuity an issue

 

It was not simply that President Trump resorted to obvious lies at the ABC News town hall Tuesday night, or that he was rude and ineffective in addressing the terrific, substantive questions from real, undecided voters. His campaign’s bigger worry is that he came across as confused, lost and incoherent. He really should not have gone down the road of challenging his opponent’s mental acuity.

 

 

 

Edited September 17, 20205 yr by Jingthing

14 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

A good number will benefit and I am in full support. Feeling a bit put off. You see, I am on direct deposit Social Security to my US bank ... but IRS mailed a check to my address on my 2018 Tax Return ... but I have moved, but never mind because due to Covid the check never arrived ... Filed necessary form for missing check ... OK, we can issue a new check and mail it ... ah, no ... there is no mail service ... can you send private carrier? NO. Can you direct deposit? NO ... ho hum ...

There is no regular mail service from the U.S. to Thailand? I wasn't aware of that. I do know there is none going to the U.S. from Thailand.

3 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

There is no regular mail service from the U.S. to Thailand? I wasn't aware of that. I do know there is none going to the U.S. from Thailand.

The problem works both ways due to the lack of air flights. Getting ready to vote in US election. I will bite the bullet and send the ballot by private carrier to assure timely delivery.

A troll post and replies to same removed.

1 hour ago, Brunolem said:

Can't wait to see Biden debate Trump...that's going to be something for the ages...

 

As for brains, there is this book from Ann Coulter "If democrats had brains, they would be republicans"...

Trump got flummoxed by ordinary citizens at a town hall meeting. What makes people think that empty belligerence is enough to prevail at a debate? Trump has demonstrated time and time again that he is incapable of absorbing information in a coherent way.

Edited September 17, 20205 yr by nakornpingpong

46 minutes ago, nakornpingpong said:

Trump got flummoxed by ordinary citizens at a town hall meeting. What makes people think that empty belligerence is enough to prevail at a debate? Trump has demonstrated time and time again that he is incapable of absorbing information in a coherent way.

Hold your horses and just wait a few more days, until the first debate... if not cancelled because Biden cannot find the key to get out of his basement... 

 

Trump is certainly not an orator like Obama was, but poor Biden constantly needs the crutches of a teleprompter, which he won't have for a debate. 

 

Interestingly, yesterday both Biden and Harris talked about the upcoming Harris-Biden administration... feels like being back to the days of the Cheney-Bush administration... 

12 minutes ago, Brunolem said:

Hold your horses and just wait a few more days, until the first debate... if not cancelled because Biden cannot find the key to get out of his basement... 

 

Trump is certainly not an orator like Obama was, but poor Biden constantly needs the crutches of a teleprompter, which he won't have for a debate. 

 

Interestingly, yesterday both Biden and Harris talked about the upcoming Harris-Biden administration... feels like being back to the days of the Cheney-Bush administration... 

Unlike you, I've heard Biden interviewed. He was able to delve into and illuminate the complex history of legislation. Can Trump even sustain 2 sentences that are logically connected and fact-based?

Troll post reported and removed.

 

3 hours ago, Brunolem said:

Can't wait to see Biden debate Trump...that's going to be something for the ages...

 

As for brains, there is this book from Ann Coulter "If democrats had brains, they would be republicans"...

 

Cool, now let's see what she says about Trump....

 

Ann Coulter once called Trump a ‘god.’ Now she says he’s ‘gutless’ if he can’t build the wall.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/12/21/ann-coulter-once-called-trump-god-now-she-says-hes-gutless-if-he-cant-build-wall/

 

Coulter blasts Trump on DACA: 'They can stay. You must go'

https://thehill.com/homenews/media/470133-coulter-blasts-trump-on-daca-they-can-stay-you-must-go

 

Ann Coulter after Trump's order: ‘The only national emergency is that our president is an idiot’

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/02/16/ann-coulter-donald-trump-national-emergency-order/2890714002/

 

'You complete blithering idiot': Ann Coulter turns on 'disloyal actual retard' Trump in Twitter rant over his criticism of former AG Jeff Sessions

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8354535/Ann-Coulter-lashes-disloyal-actual-retard-Donald-Trump-Twitter-rant.html

 

Ann Coulter turns on Trump: 'Most disloyal actual retard that has ever set foot in the Oval Office'

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/may/25/ann-coulter-turns-donald-trump-twitter-rant/

 

Ann Coulter: Trump Is ‘Lazy and Incompetent’

https://www.thedailybeast.com/ann-coulter-trump-is-lazy-and-incompetent

 

Ann Coulter Doubles Down on Trump Criticism: ‘Jackass President Being a Big Baby’

https://www.thewrap.com/ann-coulter-doubles-down-on-trump-criticism-jackass-president-being-a-big-baby/#

Who let the d.. s out... 

Whoof whoof whoof... 

 

Really funny to see so many convinced that who is president matters... it doesn't! 

 

The US president is a figurehead, totally controlled by the "swamp" that Trump never drained for the obvious reason that the "swamp" swallowed him like all the others...

5 minutes ago, Brunolem said:

Who let the d.. s out... 

Whoof whoof whoof... 

 

Really funny to see so many convinced that who is president matters... it doesn't! 

 

The US president is a figurehead, totally controlled by the "swamp" that Trump never drained for the obvious reason that the "swamp" swallowed him like all the others...

 

Really funny to see baseless conspiracy theories floated whenever some posters' narrative hits a snag.