White House Eyes Piecemeal Pandemic Aid After Trump Ends Talks On Overall Package

Trump said on Twitter on Tuesday that he had ended talks with Congress about more stimulus.

J. Scott Applewhite / AP

Updated at 12:52 p.m.

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said Wednesday that he and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are discussing potential stand-alone bills for aid to airlines, small businesses and Americans. He said the Trump administration was “still willing to be engaged” on piecemeal aid bills, though it was not optimistic about a comprehensive aid bill.

The White House has suggested various versions of a piecemeal approach since at least July. Democrats have rejected those proposals saying the size and scope of the health and economic crises requires a comprehensive response.