Democrats and Republicans are still far apart on economic stimulus deal as coronavirus infections surge

The top Democrats in Congress said Thursday that a record surge in U.S. coronavirus infections raises the urgency for a new relief bill.

The part of the process that has confounded Washington for months — crafting a bill backed by both Democrats and Republicans — has become no less of a challenge since Election Day.

Speaking to reporters in Washington, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she still supports legislation to inject at least $2.2 trillion into the American health-care system and economy. The California Democrat, who will see her party’s majority shrink by at least six seats after the 2020 election, cited Wednesday’s record 143,231 new Covid-19 infections as reason to stick to a spending demand the GOP has seen as unreasonable.

“We’re at the same place, even more so with the pandemic,” she said. “Because look at those numbers!”