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President Trump on Wednesday called on congressional Republicans to support a massive economic relief bill with “much higher numbers” and stimulus payments for Americans, abruptly proposing an entirely different plan from what the Senate GOP sought to advance in recent days. His Twitter post and subsequent comments at a news conference could reframe talks that have stalled for more than a month, and put new pressure on leaders in both parties. They come at a moment when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is facing a backlash from some House Democrats, including lawmakers in tough reelection races, over congressional inaction on new economic relief. (Werner and Bade, 9/16)

Shortly after Trump first tweeted, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” that he is “probably more optimistic about the potential for a deal in the last 72 hours than I have been in the last 72 days.” The comment from Meadows, one of the two leading Trump administration negotiators in stimulus talks, followed the Tuesday release of the plan from the House Problem Solvers Caucus. (Pramuk, 9/16)

Senate Republicans on Wednesday brushed off calls from President Donald Trump for a bigger coronavirus relief package, casting doubt on whether there is enough GOP support to move forward with additional economic stimulus measures just seven weeks before Election Day. In a tweet Wednesday morning, Trump described Democrats as “heartless,” but told Republicans to “go for the much higher numbers ... it all comes back to the USA anyway” on a coronavirus relief package. (Levine and Bresnahan, 9/16)

House Democratic leaders scrambled Wednesday for a cohesive legislative and political strategy on emergency coronavirus aid. The Democrats are seeking a bill that can provide broad-based relief to struggling Americans, energize the party’s progressive base ahead of November and appease the various factions of the caucus now feuding over the right path forward. (Lillis and Wong, 9/16)

Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell warned Wednesday that a lack of further fiscal support from Congress and President Trump could “scar and damage” a U.S. economy restrained by the coronavirus pandemic. During a Wednesday press conference, Powell expressed optimism that Democrats and Republicans would find a path forward on another coronavirus relief bill despite a weeks-long stalemate between negotiators. (Lane, 9/16)