Pelosi doubts Republicans will pass generous coronavirus bill: 'Perhaps you mistook them for somebody who gives a damn'

(Image credit: Screenshot/Twitter)

published 6 August 2020

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has a scathing accusation for Republicans as they continue to work out a coronavirus relief bill.

It's been a week since the last CARES Act expired, leaving unemployed Americans without boosted benefits as Democrats try to push Republicans toward extending the $600/week bonus that's been in place since early in the pandemic. But Pelosi isn't hopeful Republicans will come around, telling CNBC on Thursday that "perhaps you mistook them for somebody who gives a damn." The GOP, Pelosi continued, has been too focused on "how much and how long and how targeted" the next wave of relief will be instead of just passing it quickly.

Republicans have upped their unemployment offer to $400/week, but Democrats remain firm on the $600 boost the House passed a while ago. Democrats also want to extend hazard pay to essential workers while Republicans focus on keeping the cost of the bill down. Both parties remain united on extending another stimulus check to Americans, but remain divided on a host of other issues. As Pelosi colorfully put it during a Thursday press conference, "the light at the end of a tunnel might be the freight train of the virus coming at us."