House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says lawmakers are nearing an agreement on more coronavirus aid after she refused to accept a pork-free 'clean' version of the legislation to replenish the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which ran out of money last week.
"We're close," Pelosi told ABC's "This Week," adding "Again, we have common ground ... I think we're very close to agreement."
JUST IN: Speaker Pelosi tells @GStephanopoulos “we're very close” to agreement to replenish small business fund, adding Democrats have an “urgency to do something for our hospitals, our teachers and firefighters." The full interview Sunday on @ThisWeekABC. https://t.co/hBHyPtjAEp pic.twitter.com/MnTHLUzBbs
— ABC News (@ABC) April 18, 2020
The $349 billion PPP stopped accepting applications last week after a flood of small business owners affected by the coronavirus pandemic rushed to tap into the government assistance.
Pelosi said businesses will have their relief in a “timely fashion,” but also noted, “We know that we have an opportunity and an urgency to do something for our hospitals, our teachers, and firefighters, and the rest right now. And then we are preparing for our next bill.” -Politico
Pelosi, who objected to GOP demands for a clean refunding of the PPP, has drawn harsh rebuke for letting small businesses die on the vine so that Democrats can negotiate for their interests. Fifteen House Democrats publicly supported the GOP plan to immediately replenish the funds, while Pelosi played politics.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, meanwhile, told CNN's "State of the Union" that a deal could be struck as...