'Optimistic' Democrats vow to stay in D.C. until coronavirus deal reached

[August 06, 2020]    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she feels optimistic that lawmakers can reach a deal on another round of aid meant to blunt the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic, after meeting with members of President Donald Trump's administration on Wednesday.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi addresses the service during the funeral of late U.S. Congressman John Lewis, a pioneer of the civil rights movement and long-time member of the U.S. House of Representatives who died July 17, at Ebeneezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. July 30, 2020. Alyssa Pointer/Pool via REUTERS.

Pelosi and fellow Democrat Senator Chuck Schumer told reporters after the meeting that they are determined to pass a broad bill that addresses many pressing public needs during the disease outbreak. Schumer, the top Democrat in the Senate, said that members of his party will stay in Washington as long as it takes to reach a deal. Typically the U.S. Congress takes off August in a recess where they can visit with constituents in their home states and districts.

(Reporting by Lisa Lambert and Patricia Zengerle; editing by Diane Craft)

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