White House adviser Kudlow says COVID-19 aid talks to continue on Monday

FILE PHOTO: White House chief economic adviser Larry Kudlow speaks to reporters following a television interview, outside the White House in Washington, U.S. October 21, 2020. REUTERS/Al Drago

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Trump administration talks with Democratic lawmakers on a major coronavirus relief package will continue on Monday as both sides work to find a compromise before the Nov. 3 election, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will get reports from the leaders of congressional committees that have been working on an agreement and may also talk to House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Kudlow told reporters at the White House.

“The talks continue. They will continue today,” Kudlow said.

“There are still a number of areas in her plan that the president cannot accept, just can’t accept it,” Kudlow said of Pelosi. “I will also say, there are a number of targeted areas that we really think would help the economy.”

Sticking points remain around aid for state and local governments grappling with the devastating economic fallout of the pandemic and provisions around immigration and healthcare, he said.

Kudlow would not speculate on chances for a deal before the election. “I am not here to be either optimistic or pessimistic,” he said.

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu; writing by Susan Heavey; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Bill Berkrot)

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