Expiring benefits raise economic stakes of stalled stimulus talks

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Washington’s inability to pass a much-needed stimulus bill ahead of November’s election is expected to inflict further damage on the economy, potentially kneecapping its recovery as the expiration of key benefits looms.

Haggling between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has progressed, with Mnuchin saying he is willing to sign on to a $1.8 trillion deal, but the sides say they remain far apart on key issues.

President Trump has zigzagged from calling off talks because Democrats refused to lower their price tag to insisting that he was willing to shell out even more than what Pelosi had on the table. Continue reading.