TOPLINE

One day before a Friday deadline to reach a deal on the next round of stimulus legislation, top policymakers in Washington are facing deep divisions and making little progress on the package.

U.S. Speaker of the House Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) speaks to members of the press as Senate Minority ... [+] Leader Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) listens at the U.S. Capitol August 4, 2020 in Washington, DC.

Though it looks like the GOP may be willing to make some concessions, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said Wednesday evening that the Trump Administration and top Democrats are still trillions of dollars apart on a deal.

That multi-trillion dollar gulfRepublicans want to keep the new bill under $1 trillion, while the Democratic plan is three times more expensivehas some leaders in the GOP expressing doubt over whether a deal will happen at all.

Even though Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Wednesday that well certainly be in next weekmeaning that the Senate will stay in session instead of leaving for a scheduled recessmost Senators are headed home anyway on Thursday to await news of a deal, Politico reported Thursday.

President Trump, who along with McConnell has been absent from the negotiating table, doubled down on his threat Wednesday to bypass Congress by using executive orders to address eviction protections, unemployment benefits, and a term-limited payroll tax cut suspension.

I feel optimistic that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but how long that tunnel is remains to be seen, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Wednesday evening.

5.4 million. Thats how many Americans will be unable to cover their basic expenses this month without the CARES Acts $600-per-week federal unemployment supplement, according to a new Morning Consult poll. The studys authors also emphasized that its unlikely that these payments discourage workers from returning to their jobs, and that slashing the paymentsa major priority for the GOPprobably wont boost overall employment numbers. It is unlikely the decrease in [unemployment insurance] benefit payments in August will drive an increase in employment, the study says.

A critical meeting between Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is scheduled for Thursday evening. The meeting could be the determining factor in whether the negotiators have a deal tomorrowthe deadline they imposed for themselves earlier this weekor not.

McConnell Says Senate Will Delay Recess To Negotiate, But Some GOP Leaders Dont Think A Deal Is Coming (Forbes)

Second Stimulus: Heres What It Looks Like It Will Include (Forbes)

McConnell: Im Prepared To Support A Coronavirus Stimulus Bill That Includes $600 Unemployment Checks (Forbes)

A New Small Business Relief ProposalEven Bigger Than The PPPCould Be Part Of The Next Stimulus Bill (Forbes)

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Stimulus Talks Drag OnWith Little ProgressAfter Another Week Of Lapsed Unemployment Benefits And Eviction Protections - Forbes