House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Friday that she will continue to demand an approximately $2 trillion COVID-19 relief package, saying she would reject a proposal supported by centrist Democrats and Republicans in the House.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers called the Problem Solvers Caucus introduced a $1.5 trillion bill that includes extra unemployment benefits, $1,200 stimulus checks, and about $500 billion in state and federal funding. Democrats in May passed the $3.4 trillion HEROES Act, which includes $1 trillion in funding to cities and states.
Pelosi, in an interview, rejected calls to hold a vote on the smaller relief bill.
“We can put a bill on the floor, but we want to put a bill on the floor that will become law,” she said Thursday.
In a rare move, eight Democratic committee chairs released a statement in an attempt to quell support for the Problem Solvers Caucus’ bill.
“When it comes to bolstering the public health system, supporting state and local governments, and assisting struggling families, the Problem Solvers’ proposal leaves too many needs unmet,” their statement said.
President Donald Trump, meanwhile, said he supports the $1.5 trillion bipartisan plan.
Earlier this week, Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a joint statement that they welcome calls from President Trump and the White House to pass a higher-dollar bill. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Trump wants a bill greater than $500 billion.
Several weeks ago, after negotiations between the two parties stalled, Pelosi and Schumer said they would cut about $1 trillion from their deal, which Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin rejected.
It’s not clear when the White House will meet with Pelosi and Schumer over the details of a new deal.