McConnell Warns Trump Administration Against Stimulus Deal, Says It Will Divide Republicans

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell warned the Trump administration against striking a stimulus deal with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over fears it would divide Republicans before Election Day.

McConnell told Republican colleagues about the warning during a private lunch on Tuesday, according to three people familiar with the conversation. The sources spoke to the Associated Press anonymously due to the private nature of the meeting.

Republicans have expressed concerns that a stimulus deal before Election Day could divide the party. Many file-and-rank members of the GOP have already declined to vote for a big Pelosi-brokered package, and if such a deal is negotiated, Republicans would have to decide whether to support a bill that they consider to be out of touch with conservative values.

Despite his warning to the White House, McConnell on Tuesday committed to giving any stimulus agreement a vote on the Senate floor. However, the Republican did not specify whether that vote would happen before November 3.