On a private call with GOP senators today, Mnuchin and Meadows said they believed that the Democrats’ demands for nearly $1 trillion for state and local government is the biggest sticking point over a deal, per multiple sources.
They also argued Democrats have not moved off their positions or proposed things that the GOP could accept. For instance, the officials said, Democrats are pushing for permanent student loan forgiveness as part of the deal.
The two administration officials told the senators they would try to meet again today with the Democrats to see if there’s a deal to be had - and then make a decision tonight about whether it makes sense to continue, the sources said. The meeting is at 1p in Pelosi’s office
Senate GOP leaders do NOT think anything above $2T could pass the Senate, as Dems push for $3.4T and the administration has countered at just north of $1 trillion.
