Republicans pump brakes on new coronavirus stimulus spending

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, said Tuesday that he does not currently see a need for another relief package, telling CNN there's been no change in his posture despite meeting earlier in the day with Vice President Mike Pence and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin about the economy.

"I don't see the need right now," he said of another package. McCarthy said they talked about the economy, the number of states opening back up and progress in testing.

Asked if there's been a change in his posture against moving now on another relief package, he replied, "No."

Pence planned to discuss "economic impacts of the coronavirus" during his meeting with Mnuchin, McCarthy and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell earlier Tuesday morning, according to a source familiar with the Vice President's meeting on Capitol Hill.

Leaving the Senate floor and after meeting with Pence on Tuesday, McConnell wouldn't respond to questions about whether there's any desire for another rescue package.

Asked by CNN last week about the possibility of moving ahead on a phase four recovery package, McConnell said, "I don't think we have yet felt the urgency of acting immediately. That time could (come), but I don't think it has yet."

As Mnuchin left McConnell's office, he said they got a "good update" that was "very helpful" and that he was off to testify before the Senate Banking Committee.

He declined to respond to a question about whether he thought more Covid-19 aid was needed now.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer on Tuesday criticized Republicans in the chamber for not taking action to advance a new Covid-19 stimulus plan.

"Looking at the floor of the United States Senate, you'd never guess that we are in the middle of a national economic crisis," he said, lamenting that "Leader McConnell has not scheduled any legislative business related to the coronavirus."

House Democrats on Friday passed a sweeping $3 trillion coronavirus relief measure outlining their priorities for responding to the crisis, including more money for state and local governments, testing and direct payments to Americans. The bill was not the product of bipartisan negotiations, however, and passed largely along party lines. Congressional Republicans have made clear it is dead on arrival in the Senate.

With the four previous coronavirus relief measures that have been signed into law, House Democrats collaborated with Senate Republicans and the Trump administration to negotiate bipartisan agreements.

But it remains unclear whether a bipartisan consensus can be reached on yet another package, despite the fact that the American public and US economy continue to feel the devastating impact of the disease.

The Trump administration has said repeatedly that it is taking a "wait and see" approach toward another stimulus package, awaiting economic indicators as states begin to reopen.

If the economy continues the momentum that has already begun, then the first three packages, economic adviser Kevin Hassett told reporters Monday, are "enough." But, he said, if that doesn't happen, the President is prepared to sign a phase four bill.

"It's possible we'll see a strong enough economy that we won't need a phase four," he said.