Strapped States Struggle To Afford Trump’s Order; Stimulus Talks Stalled
Governors scramble to figure out how to deliver their 25% share of the $400-a-week jobless benefit included in President Donald Trump's executive order. Meanwhile, negotiations between congressional leaders and the White House remain at an impasse.
The Washington Post:
Nation’s Governors Raise Concerns About Implementing Trump Executive Moves, Call On Congress To Act
The nation’s governors raised concerns on a bipartisan basis Monday about implementing President Trump’s new executive action aimed at extending enhanced unemployment insurance, and called on Congress to act instead. But on Capitol Hill, negotiations showed no signs of life as Democrats and Republicans traded accusations about their failure to reach a deal during two weeks of talks that collapsed on Friday. (Werner, Romm and Stein, 8/10)
The Hill:
No Signs Of Breakthrough For Stalemated Coronavirus Talks
The White House and congressional Democrats dug in deeper in their respective tranches on Monday amid the stalemate over a new coronavirus relief package. The Senate was technically back in session on Monday, but there were no signs of a quick detente on the political and policy differences between the two sides. (Carney, 8/10)
The Hill:
State Aid Emerges As Major Hurdle To Reviving COVID-19 Talks
Federal money for state and local governments is a key sticking point to reviving negotiations over the next coronavirus relief package. The White House and congressional Democrats are deeply divided over whether states should get more money — and if so, how much. (Carney, 8/10)
ABC News:
5 Pandemic Relief Issues Not Addressed By Trump's Executive Actions
Although President Donald Trump this past weekend signed executive actions to address some of his administration's most pressing priorities on COVID-19 relief, many congressional priorities have been left out. Trump issued an executive order and three memoranda on Saturday dealing with unemployment benefits, protections for renters and home owners, a payroll tax deferral and a deferral of student loans. (Pecorin, 8/10)
The Washington Post:
Mitch McConnell Caught In The Middle Of Kentucky’s Economic Crisis
The Kentucky representatives from the AFL-CIO, Teamsters and other labor groups had grown incensed with Mitch McConnell, their home state senator and the chamber’s most powerful lawmaker. For months, they said, he had been blocking much-needed congressional coronavirus aid, the kind of dollars that might help workers and businesses in the Bluegrass State struggling to survive financially. (Rromm, 8/11)
The Hill:
Sens. Markey, Cruz Clash Over Coronavirus Relief: 'It's Not A Goddamn Joke Ted'
Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) on Monday clashed on Twitter over Markey’s proposal to send $2,000 monthly payments to every American for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic. Markey in May introduced a bill with Sens. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) that would provide a $2,000 monthly payment to those making up to $100,000 per year during, and in the immediate aftermath of, the pandemic. (Bikales, 8/10)
