WASHINGTON — As Congress finds itself two weeks away from unemployment benefits expiring and the annual August recess in the balance, lawmakers are signaling openness to concessions on issues that could otherwise stand in the way of a bipartisan coronavirus relief deal.

The path to a deal on two of the thorniest issues is becoming increasingly clear: Democrats will have to give Republicans some business liability protections they’re demanding, and in exchange the GOP will have to agree to stronger federal regulations to protect workers.

Republicans will have to agree to extend unemployment insurance provisions with some extra aid from the federal government. Democrats will likely agree to a number below the current $600 federal benefit in exchange for more generous direct payments to individuals and families.

Key negotiators like Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have both offered hints in recent days that talks are headed in that direction, as they’ve laid out their demands while still leaving room for compromise.

Pelosi, speaking at a news conference Wednesday to note that it’s been two months since Democrats passed their $3.5 trillion relief package, said the House will not leave for its August recess without a deal. She said Republicans have moved closer to Democrats’ position but acknowledged they’re still far apart on the total amount of aid that’s needed.

“They went from zero to now $1.3 (trillion),” Pelosi said. “That’s not enough. We need more. But we see the public evolution of their thinking.”

But Pelosi seemed ready to compromise on key areas like unemployment insurance. She emphasized the importance of those benefits, as well as direct payments, as a stimulus to the economy but declined to say she’d specifically push for continuing the full $600 federal unemployment benefit beyond July.

The House’s relief bill, which passed in May on a mostly party-line vote, would offer up to $6,000 in tax rebates per five-person household earning up to $150,000. That’s more generous than the earlier round of payments that went out in March.

McConnell has said additional direct payments should be targeted at lower-income households, floating a cutoff of $40,000 in recent press appearances. Pelosi has rejected that figure as too low.