President Trump may be pushing his own party to meet Democrats' demands for spending on a second stimulus package, including Stimulus 2, breaking the Republican intransigence that has contributed to the ongoing standoff in Washington

On Wednesday (September 16), Trump tweeted, " Republicans, aim for higher numbers

It is not clear to what extent the President is serious about his request for additional funding for benefits such as the stimulus package2, a top-up to federal unemployment benefits, and bailouts for state and local governments President Trump did not mention the numbers in his tweet, catching Republicans off guard, The Hill reported [Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) said, "If the number gets too high, I think most of what gets passed in the Senate will be passed with Democratic votes and a handful of Republicans

According to the Washington Post, Sneh had not seen President Trump's tweets until he was asked by reporters about them

Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (R-Calif) is facing pressure from moderates in her party to move forward with negotiations on a new coronavirus relief bill She said Tuesday that the House will remain in session until the bill is passed

In a conference call with members of the centrist New Democracy Coalition, Pelosi defended her decision to stick with the most recent $22 trillion proposal, noting that House members will be allowed to leave Washington this fall and move to their districts, but could be called back at any time for a vote on the stimulus package

Many members of Congress are becoming restless with the lack of movement, especially as Election Day approaches The House already passed a $34 trillion HEROES bill in May, and lawmakers are concerned that voters will take their frustrations out on incumbents of both parties on November 3

"All members of the leadership, both Democrats and Republicans, have screwed up Everyone is responsible," said Rep Max Rose (D-New York), according to Politico 'Do something Do something

Negotiations between Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows were scuttled in mid-August after the two sides failed to agree on total spending for a second economic stimulus bill

Also, the two sides were unable to agree on the total amount of spending for the second stimulus bill

They also disagreed on how to resume federal supplemental payments for state unemployment benefits, which expired on July 31

Democrats and administration officials have not resumed formal talks, but Pelosi has reduced her total proposal to $22 trillion and Mnuchin has said he is open to increasing the White House position to $15 trillion, reducing the gap to just $700 billion Senate Republican leadership proposed an overall $11 trillion bill in July, which has yet to be voted on

Meanwhile, Senate Republicans failed to pass a $500 billion "skinny" bill last week

The Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan group of House members, has announced a nearly $15 trillion plan that includes a second stimulus package and $450 per week in unemployment benefits (increasing to $600 after two months, unless the combined state and federal amount exceeds the employee's previous earnings)

While the factions generally agree on the need for another round of direct benefits, most recent downsizing proposals have eliminated the second round of stimulus and prioritized spending on extending federal unemployment benefits and other relief measures Some Democrats even argue that focusing on the second round of stimulus could distract from more pressing issues

Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) said, "$1,200 is a bit of a sugar high It's not going to solve the serious problems of the pandemic"