
WASHINGTON (AP) – The major players in Washington’s COVID relief blame game are trading accusations as they mark time before an election that promises to change the landscape for talks that have dragged on for months. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a scolding assessment on Thursday, blaming Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin for failing to produce answers to her demands for Democratic priorities as part of the approximately $2 trillion aid package. President Donald Trump again promised “a very big package as soon as the election is over” and faulted Pelosi for the pre-election standoff that has rattled markets and for now shows no signs of easing.