Both sides 'far apart' on coronavirus aid talks

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: We're very far apart. it's most unfortunate

Democratic leaders and the White House are struggling to make progress on another coronavirus aid bill that would provide financial relief for millions of anxious Americans.

Mnuchin: "There's a handful of very big issues that we are still very far apart"

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows emerged from a meeting on Thursday with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer with no clear path to a deal...

and Mnuchin warned that if negotiations fail on Friday... President Donald Trump may use executive powers.

Mnuchin: "The president's first choice is to do a deal- we've said that if we conclude tomorrow that there's not a compromised position on the major issues the president has alternatives and executive orders."

Thursday's talks were contentious. Pelosi said Meadows at one point "slammed the table."

"I've been in the WH when the president is slamming the table and walked out and that's really what mr. meadows did slammed the table walk out and you're slamming the table on our children and our schools we need to have substantial help for our schools."

Meadows denied to reporters he had walked out of the meeting. The two sides have failed for almost two weeks to agree on a fresh round of financial stimulus intended to ease the heavy human and economic toll of a pandemic that has killed over 160,000 Americans and thrown tens of millions out of work.

The main sticking points: new aid to state and local governments and continuing the $600 a week in extra unemployment benefits that expired last week.

Democrats want to continue the program - Republicans have proposed slashing the amount.