Last-ditch coronavirus aid talks collapse; no help for jobless now

Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin, center, after meeting with Democratic congressional leaders Friday in an effort to reach a deal on a coronavirus relief package. President Trump said Friday night he was likely to issue limited executive orders related to COVID, perhaps in the next day or so, if he can’t reach a broad agreement with Congress. The day’s negotiations at the Capitol added up to only “a disappointing meeting,” declared top Senate Democrat Charles E. Schumer of New York, saying the White House had rejected an offer by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to curb Democratic demands by about $1 trillion. Speaking from his New Jersey golf club Friday evening, Trump said, “If Democrats continue to hold this critical relief hostage I will act under my authority as president to get Americans the relief they need.” Trump said he may issue executive orders on home evictions, student loan debt and allowing states to repurpose COVID relief funding into their unemployment insurance programs. White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said, “This is not a perfect answer — we’ll be the first ones to say that — but it is all that we can do, and all the president can do within the confines of his executive power.” Friday’s Capitol Hill session followed a combative meeting on Thursday evening that cast real doubt on the ability of the Trump administration and Democrats to come together on a fifth COVID-19 response bill.