US coronavirus aid package coming soon, $1,200 checks by Aug, says Mnuchin

Expanding an expiring unemployment benefit but reducing it was a top priority for President Trump, says his Treasury Secretary

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Saturday that Republicans were set to roll out the next Covid-19 aid package Monday and assured there was backing from the White House after he and President Donald Trump's top aide met to salvage the $1 trillion proposal that had floundered just days before.

Mnuchin told reporters at the Capitol that extending an expiring unemployment benefit but reducing it substantially was a top priority for Trump. The secretary called the $600 weekly aid ridiculous and a disincentive for people to go back to work. He also promised a fresh round of $1,200 stimulus checks would