As cases of the coronavirus in the United States increase, the Trump administration is doubling down on efforts to develop measures that could help keep the country afloat. However, as he stopped by the Congress to discuss the coronavirus stimulus bill, he did not include a meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi out of personal conflict.
The coronavirus has ultimately sent the United States economy into a panic as the stock market over the previous days have reached their lows, some lower than others. With that in mind, Trump stopped by the Congress at Capitol Hill to talk about the stimulus bill for the coronavirus. But as he met with members of the House, he did not meet with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose vote he needs, in order to pass the bill. This was due to the fact that he is still reportedly upset with her and instead of personally meeting with her, he asked Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to speak with her instead.
According to CNBC Washington correspondent Eamon Javers, it may be that the White House is prepared to pin the blame on Pelosi for the bill not being passed. “Because she ripped up his speech, she’s been tough on him, she’s impeached him, and therefore the president has every right to not want to be in a room with her,” said Javers. Pelosi and Trump have not been seen in the same room together since the National Prayer Breakfast, that occurred the day after the State of the Union address.
Trump previously met with the Republican Senators to draw up a bill that involved taking certain measures in order to keep the country’s economy afloat in the midst of the coronavirus crisis. But before the Senate can say anything, Trump will need the House Democrats’ support in order to pass the bill.
Meanwhile, Trump just announced that the United States will now be suspending traveling from Europe to the United States in order to better contain the coronavirus. This suspension will be in effect for 30 days. Trump announced this in an address straight from the Oval Office, saying that the European Union failed to implement the same measures the United States took to contain the outbreak. The United Kingdom is excluded from this travel suspension.