Pelosi cites momentum on COVID relief bill talks

"There is momentum. There is momentum," Pelosi told reporters at a press conference. "The tone of our conversation is one that is indicative of a decision to get the job done."

Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell hope to attach a new coronavirus aid package to a must-pass omnibus spending bill to keep federal government agencies funded after Dec. 11, when funding is due to expire.

The bipartisan framework, put forward this week by a group of lawmakers from the Senate and House of Representatives, has won important support from conservative Senate Republicans.

But it is unclear whether McConnell would agree to such a large package after pushing to keep COVID-19 relief spending near the $500 billion mark.

The bipartisan package is also smaller than the $2.2 trillion deal that Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer have sought.