Rubio: 'Flexible' on Higher-Cost COVID-19 Stimulus Deal

Sen. Marco Rubio said Thursday he's "very uncomfortable" with the prospect of a more expensive coronavirus stimulus package than he'd like to see being approved, but he's still willing to be flexible because the funding is "that important" for the economy.

"No one is going to get everything they want here, and, from my perspective, that means the bill on this is probably going to be higher than I want it to be and I'm very uncomfortable with that," the Florida Republican told CNBC's "Squawk Box."

But the price of not passing a relief bill "is even higher," said Rubio, so "as long as it's not crazy, yes I'm willing to be flexible about it because I think it's that important."

Senate Democrats on Wednesday blocked the Republicans' $500 billion coronavirus relief package, saying it didn't offer enough help. 

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, meanwhile, are expected to continue talks on Thursday in hopes of reaching a deal before Election Day on Nov. 3. The House Democrats have recently passed a $2.2 trillion stimulus bill, but the White House has proposed a package for almost $1.9 trillion. 

But Rubio said Thursday there are clearly Senate Republicans who will not vote for a package with a price tag approaching the $2 trillion mark, and he wouldn't be happy with that either. 

"I'm willing to vote for things I'm not in favor of in order to pass the things I think are essential and important for our country, within reason," he said, however. 

He also warned that the worst is yet to come for cities and counties facing budget issues due to tax revenue drops. 

"In the end, I think we run the risk here of structural damage to components of our economy if we don't do something," said Rubio. "I have more optimism that we're going to have a deal on stimulus. I don't know if it will be before the election."

• White House: Pelosi, Mnuchin Close to Stimulus Deal
• Andrew Yang: Lame Duck Congress Won't Pass COVID Relief