McConnell sets up votes on narrow coronavirus relief proposal

President Donald Trump has encouraged Senate Republicans to “go big” on another stimulus and suggested this week that he could persuade the GOP to get on board. But McConnell has made clear his caucus will not support anything close to the $1.8 trillion in relief the White House is proposing.

“He’s talking about a much larger amount than I can sell to my members,” McConnell said earlier this week.

Earlier this month, Senate Republicans lashed out at Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows on a private call, warning there would be no appetite for a larger stimulus ahead of the Nov. 3 election.

The impasse over coronavirus relief comes as cases continue to rise nationwide, with more than 218,000 Americans dead from the disease and millions more unemployed.

Zachary Warmbrodt contributed to this report.