The last time they saw each other she tore up his speech. But now House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Trump are reading from the same script.
Pelosi and Trump say they want major infrastructure spending in the next coronavirus bill, which is expected to emerge in the House as early as this month.
Trump set aside a bitter feud over impeachment after watching Pelosi on TV Tuesday morning. She said she wanted a “recovery” deal that includes infrastructure.
It was music to the real estate developer’s ears. Trump tweeted that “she wasn’t bad.”
The president followed up writing that low interest rates make it an ideal time. “It should be VERY BIG & BOLD, Two Trillion Dollars, and be focused solely on jobs and rebuilding the once great infrastructure of our Country! Phase 4,” Trump wrote.
In her morning TV hit, Pelosi outlined a deal that is “specific to the coronavirus challenge.”
“That would be to do infrastructure for water systems, they’re so essential,” she said, “broadband because so many people are relying on telecommunications and social media and the rest, and other aspects of infrastructure that will help get us through all of this, as we proceed with issues that relate to surface transportation and the rest.”
Later in the day, Pelosi told reporters, “the president said during the campaign — and since — infrastructure was a priority for him. So that’s why we believe that in terms of recovery, that’s probably the most bipartisan path that we can take.”
Trump’s previous pushes for infrastructure legislation fizzled and details of the bill are likely to be contentious.
Pelosi (D-Calif.) also said on TV she wanted more funds for states and local governments. She told reporters she wanted more direct cash payments to people. But Republicans are skeptical of her denials that she’s going to incorporate an unrelated “wish list” unfurled last week.
The White House and Pelosi’s office would not provide additional information on talks.
A third coronavirus bill topping $2 trillion became law Friday, boosting unemployment pay by $600 per week and sending $1,200 checks to adults who earn up to $75,000, with $500 more per child. The package created a $500 billion loan program for businesses and a separate $350 billion loan program for small businesses with forgivable loans if they don’t lay off workers.
A week prior, a bill funded free COVID-19 testing, boosted funds for states, and required businesses to expand paid sick leave. An initial $8.3 billion deal passed in early March funding medical supplies, vaccine research and other response efforts.