Mnuchin says McConnell may introduce new coronavirus bill next week

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Monday that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) will “hopefully” unveil a new coronavirus relief bill next week. 

In an interview on Fox Business Network, Mnuchin was asked about the collapse of talks with Democrats over COVID-19 response and stimulus legislation. The secretary responded that he and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows have been regularly speaking with McConnell.

“Hopefully Mitch will enter new legislation next week,” Mnuchin said.

Mnuchin slammed top Democrats, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (N.Y.), accusing them of not wanting to negotiate in good faith and refusing to meet, according to Reuters. 

Neither Democrats nor Republicans have made major concessions nearly a month after COVID-19 relief package talks collapsed. 

Meadows and Pelosi, the principal negotiators, failed to break the impasse in a 25-minute phone call last week. 

The Senate is out of session until Sept. 8. McConnell, during the three-week recess, stressed that he believes another coronavirus deal is needed but has not given an indication that he will try to bring senators back early for a vote. 

The Democratic-controlled House approved its own $3 trillion plan in May. Senate Republicans have discussed proceeding with their own legislation that would be narrower than the House bill but have not introduced any new proposals.