It was the only option and Failure wasn't an option on coronavirus aid.

They can point to Pelosi's rejection of their more conservative proposals as evidence that she is engaged in gamesmanship.Democrats could cast Republicans in the Senate, from whom they hope to take power in November, as indifferent to the suffering of millions of Americans in need of cash. 

McConnell didn't have to split his conference and anger his base in a year in which he and Trump are seeking re-election. 

Pelosi and her House Democrats felt little incentive to come down from their number — or to agree to the White House's demand that benefits for people who are unemployed, people who are poor and state and local governments be scaled back from the House-passed bill.

Anthony Brindisi, D-N.Y., co-chairman of the average Blue Dog Coalition's task force on economic growth and one of his caucus' most politically vulnerable members, issued a thinly veiled attack on Trump and McConnell.The ultimate sign of their unity came Friday evening when Rep. 

"Anyone who walks away from these negotiations is turning their back on the American people," Brindisi said. "This time of crisis demands action, not partisan nonsense. Failure to reach a deal is not an option."

Pelosi could have written those words herself.

House Democrats don't appear to be in any danger of losing their majority, and they say they're in good position to withstand political backlash from Trump accusing them of rejecting half a loaf of unemployment benefits in pursuit of the whole loaf.

 "But optics are important here. [Pelosi] cannot walk away from the talks. ... Pelosi has to consistently demonstrate an eagerness to negotiate and get a deal done." "Voters already know Republicans are skeptical about unemployment insurance to begin with, so they’re not going to buy some bull

Republican argument that Democrats are the ones blocking an extension of unemployment," said one senior House Democratic aide who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to discuss party strategy.

Responsibility gets pushed to Trump, who would be most credited or blamed for the outcome anyway. That gives everyone on Capitol Hill a lot less heartburn than an ugly legislative fight a few months before an election. Everyone but the handful of Senate Republicans in tough races who never even got a chance to pass a bill through their chamber. — for the White House and Congress to reach a deal. So they didn't.— for the White House and Congress to reach a deal. So they didn't.