Senators flew home last night, leaving the last remaining hope for a stimulus deal this week to the House and the White House, with the two sides having yet to overcome the wide gulf between them, said Bloomberg. Democrats and Republicans have blamed each other for the breakdown in negotiations, each saying the other side refuses to compromise, even after a three-hour meeting last night. The major points of disagreement appear to be the size of supplemental unemployment benefits (Democrats want to extend the $600 weekly payments until at least the end of the year, Republicans want a much smaller package) and public sector aid (Democrats want expansive aid to state and local governments, while Republicans are willing  to do so only for fire and police services).

While it seems increasingly unlikely that a deal will be reached today, before the current congressional session ends, senators and representatives are standing by on 24-hour notice to return for a vote should a deal somehow, someway appear. The White House had previously said that it intends to pursue unilateral action should Congress not come through, although it is unknown what precisely the administration can legally do in this regard.