Pelosi Sees Path to Stimulus in Capital Shaken Anew by Pandemic

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressed optimism about negotiations with the White House on a new stimulus, saying that President Donald Trump’s Covid-19 diagnosis might change the tenor of the talks by emphasizing the seriousness of the pandemic.

Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin exchanged proposals on a virus relief package Thursday night and spoke by telephone on Friday afternoon for 65 minutes. The talks are continuing, Pelosi’s office said.

Also striking an optimist note was Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has been dismissive of proposals from Democrats for a $2.2 trillion stimulus plan and has left most ...