President Biden said Wednesday during a call with House Democrats that he is committed to raising stimulus controls to $ 2,000 by giving most Americans $ 1,400 more in direct payments in a new round of relief of the coronavirus.
However, Biden opened the door by tightening income requirements to determine which Americans are eligible to receive checks. Under the Congress-approved relief package late last year, people earning less than $ 75,000 and couples making less than $ 150,000 received full payment of $ 600.
“We can’t walk away from the extra $ 1,400 in direct checks we proposed because people need them,” Biden told Democrats, according to a call source.
“We can better target them,” he said, “but I will not begin my administration by breaking a promise to the American people.”
Biden did not ask any questions during the five-minute call, but urged House Democrats to “make it big, not small” in a new COVID-19 relief package and stay together as they sell their plan. stimulus of nearly $ 2 trillion to the American people.
“I have my back. I ask you to have mine,” Biden said.
– Updated at 11:00 am