Coronavirus relief likely on pause until after election as Trump promises 'best stimulus package'

The odds of Congress striking a coronavirus relief deal before the November election dimmed considerably this week after the Senate left Washington for their October recess with no agreement in place.

"After the election, we'll get the best stimulus package," President Trump told reporters Tuesday before boarding Air Force One.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin spoke by phone for 52 minutes on Monday afternoon, the latest in a near-daily effort between the two negotiators to winnow the differences on a stimulus package between the Trump administration and Democratic leaders.

Democrats "continue to eagerly await the Administration’s acceptance of our health language, which includes a national strategic plan on testing and tracing. We are hopeful their response will be positive as we also await the outcomes of talks between committee chairs," Pelosi aide Drew Hammill tweeted.