Pelosi Says Trump Has 48 Hours To Compromise On COVID-19 Relief Bill
House Speaker faces more backlash for delaying bill
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Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has given the Trump administration 48 hours to address differences in the second coronavirus relief bill she has been accused of delaying.
Pelosi's deputy chief of staff, Drew Hammill, said the peaker and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin spoke for an hour regarding the relief bill.
“While there was some encouraging news on testing, there remains work to do to ensure there is a comprehensive testing plan that includes contact tracing and additional measures to address the virus’ disproportionate impact on communities of color,” Hammill tweeted.
“There remains an array of additional differences as we go provision by provision that must be addressed in a comprehensive manner in the next 48 hours."
"Decisions must be made by the White House in order to demonstrate that the Administration is serious about reaching a bipartisan agreement that provides for Americans with the greatest needs during the pandemic.”
... in order to demonstrate that the Administration is serious about reaching a bipartisan agreement that provides for Americans with the greatest needs during the pandemic. (3/3)
— Drew Hammill (@Drew_Hammill) October 18, 2020
But the House Speaker's deadline demands does not address her own refusal to agree on the relief bill.
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Pelosi, earlier this month held a vote on a $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief package that received zero Republican votes, and even losing 18 votes in her own party.
Democrats have even been urging Pelosi and asked her to accept the Trump administration’s $1.6 trillion offer.
“Republicans have put forward a serious offer, and I think leadership should stay at the table and get this across the finish line,” Rep. Ben McAdams (D-UT) said at the time.
“This is going nowhere; we know it’s going nowhere. This is just a vote to make people feel good,” said Rep. Cindy Axne (D-IA).
“I want to help people, and that means sitting at the table and getting the damn deal done.”
Top Democrats advised Pelosi to accept the Trump administration’s $1.8 trillion deal last Tuesday.
“Nancy Pelosi, take this deal!” said entrepreneur Andrew Yang.
“Put politics aside, people are hurting.”
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Dan Pfeiffer, a former Obama administration adviser, told Pelosi to “aggressively pursue a COVID Relief deal with Trump.”
“People in need can’t wait until February. 1.8 trillion is significant & more than twice Obama stimulus,” said progressive Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA).
“It will allow Biden to start with infrastructure. Obama won in 08 by doing the right thing on TARP instead of what was expedient. Make a deal & put the ball in McConnell court.”
Forty-three percent of Americans are now blaming Pelosi for the delay, according to a YouGov poll.
Last week, Pelosi suffered a firey meltdown during an interview with CNN host Wolf Blitzer, who asked her why she is holding up the bill.
WATCH:
Pelosi, who accused Blitzer of being a 'Republican apologist' during the segment, was left fuming when put on the spot regarding the bill.
"I don't know why you're always an apologist — and many of your colleagues, apologists for the Republican position," Pelosi responded as Blitzer mentioned Khanna's comments on the bill.
Blitzer asked Pelosi to look at Americans "in the eye... and explain why you don't want to accept the president's latest stimulus offer."
Pelosi responded:
"I hope you'll ask the same question of the Republicans on why they don't want to meet the needs of the American people."
