//Lawmakers still “not close” to a coronavirus stimulus deal, a day after $600 federal relief expired

Lawmakers still “not close” to a coronavirus stimulus deal, a day after $600 federal relief expired

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks to reporters following an unsuccessful stimulus negotiation on July 30. | Samuel Corum/Getty Images

Lawmakers met on Saturday to discuss replacing the expired unemployment program. They left without a deal.

Congress adjourned for the week on Friday having failed to pass a new coronavirus stimulus bill, as the weekly $600 coronavirus unemployment payments 32 million people have come to rely on expired. With Democrats and Republicans still far apart on stimulus priorities, party leaders returned for talks on Saturday, in which they reportedly made “progress” — but are still far from passing ongoing relief.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows met with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the Capitol for about three hours on Saturday, with Schumer telling reporters after that meeting, “We’re not close yet. But