Poll: Most Americans blame Nancy Pelosi for failure to pass coronavirus stimulus

American voters are pointing the finger at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) for Congress' failure to pass a new coronavirus stimulus bill, according to a new poll.

The survey, conducted by YouGov Oct. 9-11 among 1,525 registered voters, found that 43% of voters said Pelosi is more to blame for the lack of progress on a stimulus package, while 40% blamed President Donald Trump. 17% of those surveyed were unsure.

By party affiliation, an overwhelming majority of Democrats blame Trump and an overwhelming majority of Republicans blame Pelosi. However, 45% of self-identified independents said Pelosi is more responsible for the failure to reach a deal, compared to 30% who said it was Trump's fault. 25% of independents were unsure.

A new stimulus package to alleviate the economic recession caused by the coronavirus pandemic has been logjammed in Congress because of disagreements between Democrats and Republicans over how large the stimulus should be and what kinds of aid should be included in the bill.

Pelosi demands a $2.2 trillion stimulus that includes billions of dollars in direct aid to state and local governments to cover budget shortfalls made worse by the pandemic. President Trump on Oct. 6 announced he would end negotiations over the stimulus, accusing Pelosi of asking for "money that is in no way related to COVID-19" and saying he would revisit a stimulus package after the Nov. 3 election. Other Republicans have criticized the aid to state governments as a "bailout."

But shortly after declaring negotiations dead, the president offered to sign a stand-alone bill providing Americans with another round of $1,200 stimulus checks.

Last Friday, the White House offered Democrats a $1.8 trillion compromise, a compromise that Pelosi swiftly rejected. Speaking on CNN, Pelosi said the American people's needs "are not addressed in the president's proposal." She entered into a contentious exchange with host Wolf Blitzer, who pressed her on refusing the president's deal.

"I hope you'll ask the same question of the Republicans about why they don't really want to meet the needs of the American people," Pelosi said. "But let me say to those people because all of my colleagues — we represent these people ... I know what their need are, I listen to them, and their needs are not addressed in the president's proposal. So when you say to me, 'Why don't you accept theirs?' Why don't they accept ours?"

Blitzer pushed back on Pelosi, noting that some Democrats have called on her to take the president's deal, and Pelosi fired back and accused him of being an "apologist" for the Republican opposition.

(H/T: The Daily Caller)