US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin have "continued to narrow their differences" in a 53-minute phone conversation about a fresh coronavirus aid package.
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Pelosi's spokesman, Drew Hammill, has tweeted that she hopes that by the end of Tuesday there will be "clarity" on whether a coronavirus stimulus bill can be passed before the November 3 US elections.
He said Pelosi and Mnuchin would talk again on Tuesday and staff work on the matter would continue "around the clock".
Pelosi, the top elected US Democrat, said on Sunday differences remained with President Donald Trump's administration on a wide-ranging coronavirus relief package.
She said she was optimistic legislation could be pushed through before lection day but an agreement would have to come by the end of Tuesday for that to happen.
The White House has proposed a $US1.8 ($A2.5) trillion stimulus to help Americans struggling with the economic ravages of the coronavirus pandemic.
Pelosi says that offer fell short in a range of areas, including tax credits for poor people, aid to state and local governments, worker protections and rent help.
She has stuck to her demand for a $US2.2 trillion aid and stimulus package.
Congress earlier this year passed $US3 trillion in coronavirus relief and many of the Republicans who control the Senate are loath to pass another giant relief bill.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Monday the Senate would vote on Wednesday on a $US500 billion proposal to target specific needs.
Australian Associated Press