Pelosi on Unemployment Benefits: 'Why Don't We Just Get the Job Done?'

With aid expiring, the White House offered a short-term extension Thursday of a $600 weekly unemployment benefit that has helped keep families and the economy afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Democrats rejected it, saying President Donald Trump's team failed to grasp the severity of the crisis.

Democratic leaders panned the idea in late-night talks at the Capitol, opting to keep the pressure on for a more sweeping bill that would deliver aid to state and local governments, help for the poor and funding for schools and colleges to address the pandemic. Without action, the benefit runs out Friday.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif told reporters "The path that they have taken us down with their delay, their denial, and their distortions have caused death." Adding, "We've put forth, what we think is urgently needed by the American people because we recognize the gravity of the situation."

"Why don't we just get the job done," she said.

Then Pelosi offered a tutorial on negotiating.

"There are two things to remember. One is the person you're negotiating with has to want something" for the American people, Pelosi said. "And they have to know you will walk" if you don't get a good enough agreement.

Trump is eager for another round of relief, and it's also a priority for GOP allies like McConnell, as well as Pelosi and Schumer, D-N.Y. Democrats hold a strong negotiating hand - exploiting GOP divisions over whether more aid is even needed - and they are expected to deliver a necessary trove of votes.

But bipartisan talks have yet to reach a serious, productive phase. Democrats are playing hardball, insisting on a package that's far larger than the $1 trillion-plus measure unveiled by McConnell on Monday. Thursday brought more tit-for-tat.

Pelosi and McConnell have an extensive history, however. They often find ways to reach deals, though the process involves intense maneuvering and plenty of cross words.

McConnell showed a willingness in recent days to consider some Democratic priorities, like additional food aid. He and Trump have made plain they are intent on getting a bill.

Pelosi also told reporters in response to President trump suggesting a "delay" to the Nov. 3 presidential election - which would take an act of Congress - as he made unsubstantiated allegations in a tweet that increased mail-in voting will result in fraud.

"I respect the office of the presidency and the president doesn't," Pelosi said. Adding "He (Trump) degrades the office that he took an oath to serve in. To say yesterday that he thought that we should postpone the election. You have to wonder...what does he have on his mind? This is very serious, very serious."

"There's a method to their madness. So understand this. You want to cancel the election or postpone the election. Really? They learned that from Putin or something?"

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