OnPolitics: COVID-19 relief coming? Not so fast

Tuesday, October 6

President Donald Trump had his first presidential debate with Joe Biden in Cleveland.

OnPolitics: Trump pulls the plug on COVID-19 stimulus talks

President Donald Trump has been making news at a break-neck pace after being released from Walter Reed. Today was no different.

President Donald Trump put an end to months of negotiations over a COVID-19 stimulus package Tuesday, rejecting the Democrats' latest offer and saying he wanted to postpone negotiations until after the November election.

In a Tuesday afternoon tweet, Trump said Democrats were "not negotiating in good faith." He told Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to instead "focus full time" on confirming Trump's Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett.

The president's rejection and insistence on restarting negotiations after Nov. 3 means both parties head into a crucial election without more relief for Americans struggling as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Plexiglass or nah?

On the eve of the vice presidential debate in Salt Lake City, Vice President Mike Pence is pushing back at plans for plexiglass on stage to protect the candidates from the coronavirus, according to a report from the Washington Post.

Marc Short, chief of staff for the vice president, told The Post the addition of plexiglass isn't necessary given other new safety accommodations including keeping the two candidates 12 feet and three inches away as well as daily testing. The vice president requested that plexiglass not be placed on his side of the stage.

Meanwhile, Democratic nominee Sen. Kamala Harris said she will abide by the preparations in what's become the latest political fight over COVID-19 restrictions.

What else is going on?

•	Ohio GOP Gov. Mike DeWine says he wishes Trump would wear a mask more
•	White House backs FDA coronavirus vaccine guidance, potentially slowing timeline
•	Joe Biden ramps up efforts in Texas with $6 million ad buy
•	Florida reopens voter registration after system crashed
•	Joint chiefs of staff quarantine after COVID-19 penetrates military leadership
•	Early voting is breaking records in 2020