Steve Mnuchin
Trump in final debate slams pandemic aid as a ‘big bailout’ for blue cities and states
WASHINGTON — Asked during Thursday’s final presidential debate about why another round of economic relief hasn’t been approved to aid unemployed Americans and struggling local governments, President Donald Trump and his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, pointed fingers at opposite ends of the U.S. Capitol. Trump blamed House Democrats for the stalemate over another coronavirus stimulus […]
U.S. House passes new pandemic relief bill, but talks lag on a bipartisan deal
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House last Thursday night narrowly passed a slimmed-down $2.2 trillion Democratic coronavirus relief bill that retains hundreds of billions in aid for states and local governments, boosts unemployment benefits and extends another round of $1,200 checks for each taxpayer. But the package, passed on a 214-207 vote, with 18 Democrats splitting from their […]
‘We’re not through this’: Governors plead with Congress for emergency assistance
WASHINGTON — Democratic governors last Thursday begged Congress to come to the aid of ailing states, which face unexpected expenses as they attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19 as well as massive revenue shortfalls due to the pandemic. But Republicans at a House hearing rejected their pleas, arguing that states have yet to spend […]
White House orders suspension of residential evictions
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration announced on Tuesday it would temporarily halt residential evictions to curb the spread of COVID-19 infections. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin disclosed during a congressional hearing that the executive order would be issued. It runs through Dec. 31. “I think you’ll be quite pleased with the impact that it will have,” Mnuchin told […]
Mnuchin: White House would back additional cash to states in relief deal
WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday said the Trump administration would be open to providing additional aid to state and local governments — a key sticking point in stalled negotiations over another round of federal coronavirus relief. Mnuchin also urged lawmakers to move forward with a package that would address specific areas of […]
Ohio senators plead for federal help as pandemic threatens to gut cities’ budgets
WASHINGTON — Ohio’s senators are joining forces around a hotly contested issue on Capitol Hill: federal aid for ailing state and local governments. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Ohio cities are facing massive revenue losses that threaten funding for police and fire departments, schools, trash collectors, food banks, libraries, museums, and civic spaces. […]
Congressional Dems want more federal cash to combat hunger during pandemic
WASHINGTON — Democratic lawmakers want to prioritize food insecurity in the next round of COVID-19 relief legislation. More than 100 lawmakers sent a letter Tuesday asking Democratic and Republican leaders of the U.S. House and Senate to boost the maximum Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit by 15% — a request Republicans rejected in the $2 […]
Congress preps for next round of coronavirus relief
WASHINGTON — Congress is gearing up for additional coronavirus response legislation that aims to build on the first three massive relief packages. The next bill could include huge infrastructure projects, and U.S. House Democrats are pushing to include some of their top priorities that were sliced off the sweeping $2 trillion bill during negotiations with Senate […]