GOP weighs jobless aid cuts to urge Americans back to work

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell huddled Thursday at the White House as Republicans stake out new plans to phase out coronavirus-related unemployment benefits to encourage Americans to go back to work.

“Republicans and the White House are reaching consensus on the need for redesigning the unemployment benefits so they are not a barrier to getting people back to work,” Rep.

The flurry of activity comes after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pushed a new $3 trillion aid package through the House last week.

While the House works remotely, the lights-on Senate has the legislative stage to itself.

McConnell argued that his side of the Capitol led passage of the earlier $2 trillion package.

He rejects the new $3 trillion package approved by the Democratic-led House last week as a “liberal wish list.”.

On Thursday, McConnell mocked the House for working remotely and voting by proxy while senators in masks show up like other Americans returning to work.

Unemployment insurance, though, was quickly becoming a new priority for Republicans staking out the next aid package.

He said conversations were happening at the highest levels at the White House