President Biden and a group of 10 Republican senators agreed Monday to hold additional negotiations on coronavirus relief as they seek space to draft a bipartisan deal.
The Republican group met with Biden at the White House on Monday for about two hours, significantly longer than either party expected the meeting to last. Both sides characterized the meeting as productive, although the White House indicated that Biden would not back down from its demand for a robust package despite opposition from Republicans.
His. Susan Collins
Susan Margaret CollinsBiden meets Monday with GOP senators over coronavirus relief Biden invites GOP senators to the White House for relief talks President has changed, but Washington no MORE (R-Maine), which has taken the initiative to try to negotiate a deal, called the meeting “very productive” and “friendly”.
“It was a very good exchange of views. I wouldn’t say we met in a package tonight, no one expected it in a two-hour meeting. But what we did agree on was follow up and talk more to staff at the level and between us and with the president and vice president about how we can continue to work together on this important issue, ”Collins said Monday night outside the White House.
The White House, in a statement, called the meeting “productive” and “substantive,” but added that Biden “reiterated that while he hopes the bailout plan can be approved with bipartisan support, a Reconciliation package is a way to achieve this goal “. The White House also made it clear that Biden believes the $ 618 billion proposal released by GOP senators falls short.
“While there were areas of agreement, the president also reiterated his view that Congress must respond boldly and urgently, noting many areas that the Republican senators’ proposal does not address, ”the secretary of state said. White House press Jen Psaki
Jen PsakiBiden’s meeting with GOP senators on Monday on coronavirus relief Biden invites GOP senators to the White House for relief talks Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi was arrested during a morning raid while the military took the country MORE dit. “The president also made it clear that the American rescue plan was carefully designed to meet the bets of the moment, and that any change in it cannot leave the nation below its urgent needs.”
The meeting marked Biden’s first visit with lawmakers to the Oval Office, a fact Collins made known to reporters.
“[It] it was an excellent meeting and we are grateful that as the first official meeting in the oval office, the president chose to spend so much time with us in a frank and very helpful discussion, ”he said.
The GOP group used the meeting to explain its $ 618 billion coronavirus proposal to Biden, Vice President Harris and top aides. The White House also provided more details about its $ 1.9 trillion package after senators on both sides pressed for more details on how the administration presented its proposal.
Collins, the only GOP senator to speak after the meeting, did not address the Democratic leadership’s decision to lay the groundwork this week for passing a simple majority coronavirus law, allowing them to pass GOP support. if you need it.
Instead, he noted that Congress has been able to pre-negotiate bipartisan coronavirus rescue bills. Many of the senators were part of the so-called 908 coalition that proposed a framework late last year that the leadership believed had broken a stalemate for months.
“We have shown in the last year that we can meet in a bipartisan package. … I hope we can once again approve a sixth bipartisan COVID relief package,” Collins said.
But there are big differences between the package offered by the GOP group and the larger, $ 1.9 trillion, backed by Democrats. While Biden would prefer to sign a bill with Republican Party support, the White House made it clear Monday that it would support Democrats passing the bill by reconciling with a simple majority.
The Republican Party proposal includes $ 160 billion in pandemic response funding, including protective equipment and more money for vaccine distribution. It also extends the $ 300 weekly federal unemployment benefit until June 30th.
The bill includes a $ 1,000 direct payment to Americans, compared to the $ 1,400 direct payment from Biden’s plans, with $ 500 for dependent adults and children. The proposal also lowers the income limit for eligible for direct assistance.
According to previous coronavirus bills, individuals who collect up to $ 75,000 will receive the check, so the amount of the payment will be gradually withdrawn. But, according to the Republican Party proposal, people who earn up to $ 40,000 would get a check for $ 1,000, with a total amount of $ 50,000.
It also includes $ 20 billion in additional funding for schools, $ 20 billion in child care funding, an additional $ 50 billion in small business grants, $ 12 billion in nutrition aid and $ 4 billion. dollars in behavioral health resources.
But the new chairman of the Senate Finance Committee Ron Wyden
Ronald (Ron) Lee WydenHillicon Valley: Fallout of Reddit-driven stock rallies, GameStop buy ban continues | Lawmakers raise the NSA in case of default years after the massive Russian attack According to reports, Facebook is considering an antitrust lawsuit against Apple lawmakers in the NSA for breach of years after massive Russian piracy Lawmakers offer a bill to repeal the limit on SAL MORE deduction (D-Ore.) He warned that the Republican Party’s offer did not go far enough, anticipating the reaction Biden will likely face if he agrees to go down substantially.
“The package outlined by ten Senate Republicans is too small to provide the relief Americans need. In particular, a three-month extension of unemployment benefits is not initial. … We can’t keep jumping rock. -sied on a cliff every few months, “Wyden said in a statement, adding that” an extension of benefits for at least six months is essential. “
Democratic senator Jon Tester
Tester by Jonathan (Jon) Indigenous groups are campaigning against the ABC’s “Big Sky” VA secretary nominee, through a confirmation hearing. To protect our parks, take a break from leasing MORE (Mont.), One of the most moderate members of the group, also warned that he did not believe the Republican Party’s plan was big enough.
“I think it has to be bigger than that … If we have to come back again and again, I don’t think it’s good for the economy, I don’t think it’s good for sure.” Said the tester.
The meeting comes hours after the Senate majority leader Charles Schumer
Chuck Schumer: Congressional Democrats are on the wrong side of the impeachment policy. Capitol’s permanent fencing proposal causes bipartisan setback Immigration reform can’t wait MORE (DN.Y.) and Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Nancy PelosiBiden meets Monday with GOP senators on coronavirus relief Portman says Republican leadership “should stand up” against Greene’s comments Congress Democrats are on the wrong side of the removal policy MORE (D-California) introduced a budget resolution that will include instructions to draft a $ 1.9 trillion bill that Democrats could pass under reconciliation, allowing them to avoid a 60-vote legislative hurdle.
“Democrats welcome the ideas and input of our Republican Senate colleagues. The only thing we can’t accept is a package that is too small or too narrow to get our country out of this emergency. We can’t repeat the. 2009 error, “Schumer said. the Senate floor.
– Contributed Morgan Chalfant.
– Updated at 20:57