The US Congress is unlikely to determine a new economic stimulus package ahead of the US Presidential election, said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Friday, as per AFP report.

McConnell in a press conference at his home state Kentucky said, “We do need another rescue package, but the proximity to the election and the differences of opinion about what is needed at this particular juncture are pretty vast.”

McConnell also said that legislators should show bipartisanship and rise above petty political difference to approve, “ “one last rescue package.” He however quickly added, “I think that’s unlikely in the next three weeks.” 

The Senator’s statements, however, were incongruous to the Republican President’s, Trump has off late been optimistic over the passing over a stimulus package and on Friday had tweeted, “COVID Relief Negotiations are moving along. Go Big!”

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The President has repeatedly reiterated that there is “a really good chance” of arriving at an agreement prior to the November 3 election. The stimulus package will address the economic damage caused by the pandemic. 

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin have been negotiating on a stimulus package for weeks without no avail, however recently with intervention from the President, hopes have rekindled, for a possible relief package that would be a follow up on the $2.2 trillion CARES act.

However, prospects of a new deal were sabotaged after US President Donald Trump abruptly called off talks on Tuesday. The President has since backpedalled amid an outcry by both parties, and following a drop in the stock market.

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Nancy Pelosi said that she and Mnuchin had a negotiating session on Thursday and will speak again on Friday to discuss issues of money and policy that require further scrutiny.

Pelosi speaking to MSNBC said, “I do hope that we will have an agreement soon.” However, she added, “But as you say, they keep changing their minds.”

Senator Mitch McConnell has stated that the murkiness surrounding the bill arises from parties seeking to leverage the stimulus package for their advantage. He later added, a large number of unemployed workers were in dire need of jobless benefits.

Economists have suggested that yet another stimulus package from governments is imperative to prevent layoffs and bankruptcies across the world. The International Monetary Fund has requested governments worldwide to continue spending to benefit the unemployed as the pandemic rages on.

Republican Mitch McConnell urged people to use masks and respect social distancing despite President Trump downplaying the disease. McConnell said, “It’s obvious this disease is not gone,” and added, “The only way to kill it is with a vaccine.”