Coronavirus: Why the Covid-19 economic stimulus deal will make it to Trump's desk

Even as the Senate floor erupted into bickering and bad blood between Republicans and Democrats on Monday, there is one reason above all others why a massive coronavirus economic stimulus bill will get to Donald Trump's desk: No one has abandoned the talks.

Even as Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell and minority leader Chuck Schumer traded barbs on the chamber floor as the latter's Democrats blocked a procedural motion that would have teed up a final vote once a deal is place, negotiations involving both men and senior Trump administration officials continued.

Democrats on Sunday became concerned that GOP-crafted provisions for a $500 billion fund to provide large companies federal assistance as much of the economy is slowed during the pandemic. Republicans have reacted angrily to Democratic demands for new collective bargaining powers for unions, studies of climate change and other things typically supported by the American left and opposed by the right.

Here are three reasons why the talks remain very much alive and a deal is probably afoot Monday night or Tuesday morning.

Blowing off steam

These major legislative packages, especially ones for emergencies, have become a major challenge for Washington – Democrats and Republicans alike over the last 12 years have had to strike fewer and fewer compromises as the political system got more and more partisan.

That means the final stages always get a little noisy. And, almost as if on cue, senior lawmakers were venting some steam on Monday afternoon as US stock markets again posted losses.

"Let me give the American people a taste of the outstanding issues we woke up to this morning. Here are some of the items on the Democratic wish-list over which they chose to block the legislation last night: Tax credits for solar energy and wind energy. Provisions to force employers to give special new treatment to Big Labour. And listen to this: new emissions standards for the airlines," Mr McConnell said on the Senate floor.

"Are you kidding me? This is the moment to debate new regulations that have nothing to do with this crisis? That's what they're up to over there. The American people need to know it," he added. "Democrats won't let us fund hospitals or save small businesses unless they get to dust off the Green New Deal?

Ouch.

But Democrats were giving as good as they were getting.

"The bill still includes something that most Americans don't want to see," Mr Schumer said on the Senate floor around midday. "Large corporate bailouts with almost no strings attached. Maybe the majority leader thinks it's unfair to ask [for] protections for workers and labour [for] companies that are getting hundreds of billions of dollars.

"We think it's very fair to ask for those. Those are not extraneous issues....We're looking for oversight," he said. "If this federal government is making a big loan to someone, to a big company, we ought to know it and know the details immediately. The bill that was put on the floor by the Republican leader said no one would know a thing about those loans for six months, at least."

They're still talking

The late senator John McCain frequently counselled reporters during times of emergency to remember two things about the Senate.

The first: Anything is possible.

The second: There is always a chance so long as all sides are still in the room.

And, yes, all sides are still talking.

Though Mr Schumer blasted Mr McConnell over what he called a tendency to head to the floor for a "partisan screed," the New York Democrat said he and Treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin are still talking. In fact, he said the two are intent on "getting things done".

"He left my office at about 12.15am last night and was there at about 9am this morning. The White House congressional liaison (Eric Ueland) has been in and out of the office as well," Mr Schumer said. "We're very close to reaching a deal, very close. And our goal is to reach a deal today -- and we're hopeful, even confident, that we will meet that goal."

No Trump tweets

Time and again during his term, the 45th president has fired a legislative Hellfire missile into attempts to strike bipartisan deals.

From immigration to spending legislation to an infrastructure overhaul package, Mr Trump has signalled his intent to sign major bills before hearing criticism on conservative news networks or from other far-right voices and launching a bill-killing tweet.

This time, however, Mr Trump's silence about the content of the emerging bill has been notable. Other than calling for help for the airline industry and American workers, the only issue on which he has voiced a strong opinion is his statements in support of prohibition large corporations from using federal assistance dollars to buy back their own stock to inflate its value.

The president, however, has not tweeted about the talks so far on Monday. On Sunday evening, he said he is confident both sides want to pass a stimulus measure.

The bottom line: Expect more fireworks on the floor, and sharp words as members and administration officials continue to pull long hours. But as long as they are talking, help for the stumbling US economy is likely days away.