Slight progress as urgency grows on US virus relief

Senate Minority leader Senator Chuck Schumer told reporters "we are not going to give up. We are not going to walk away," as negotiations continue on a huge coronavirus relief bill with issues like food for the poor and aid to schools struggling to reopen safely assuming a higher profile in the talks.

Frustrated Senate Republicans re-upped their complaints on Tuesday that Democratic negotiators are staking too hard a line in talks on a sweeping relief bill, but pressure is mounting for progress as COVID-weary senators are eager to return to their home states for the August recess.

There are signs of slight progress as another negotiating session is underway, but multiple obstacles remain, including an impasse on extending a $600-per-week pandemic jobless benefit, funding for the U.S. Postal Service and aid to renters facing eviction.

Senator Schumer, (D-N. Y) spoke of progress, but says "the Republicans can't even articulate a coherent position."

One glimmer of hope emerged as a key Senate Republican telegraphed that the party may yield to Democrats on an increase in the food stamp benefit as part of the huge rescue measure, which promises to far exceed a $1 trillion target set by the GOP.

Before a new round of talks begun Tuesday, Schumer said "we're going to keep fighting until we get there."

Neither side has budged from their positions, with Democrats demanding an extension of the $600-per-week supplemental unemployment benefit that's credited with propping up the economy.

Republicans have yet to offer any aid to states to prevent furloughs, layoffs and cuts to services. Both will have to compromise before a deal can be agreed to.

"The Republicans are so tied up, so many of them in their ideological knot, that they don't want to spend money," Schumer said.  Adding, "The negotiations are moving forward bit by bit, and we are moving closer together on certain issues."