The COVID-19 pandemic continues to play havoc with the U.S. economy as unemployment numbers remain high.

Although the rate fell from a high of 14.7% in April to 10.2% in July, it remains a concern.

The high unemployment figures call for government intervention to boost economic activities.

The Republicans and the Democrats continue to be at loggerhead on the role government should play and the amount of stimulus that should be injected to reignite the economy.

On Friday, House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi met with her negotiating counterparts Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows.

At a news conference, the speaker indicated her willingness to compromise by giving up a trillion-dollar in her offer with the view that the Republicans would meet her halfway by adding a trillion to their offer.

“We’ll go down one trillion, you go up one trillion,” she told reporters as she made her position clear, adding: “We have a moral responsibility to find common ground.”

The Republicans, however, have rejected the proposal by insisting on their package of about $1tn in total and want to include legal protections for employers against virus-related health claims from workers.

Meanwhile, President Trump has blamed Democratic congressional leaders for the impasse.

“Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer continue to insist on radical left-wing policies that have nothing to do with the China virus,” he said.

He added: “If Democrats continue to hold this critical relief hostage, I will act under my authority as president to get Americans the relief they need.”

Carol May, Readers Bureau, Contributor

Edited by Jesus Chan

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