White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that President Biden is “open to engagement” with Democrats and Republicans in Congress ahead of his meeting with Republican senators on Monday in the Oval Office to discuss a possible deal on a coronavirus relief plan, adding that, in his view, the “risk” would be to move forward on a package that “isn’t big enough” to meet the needs of Americans in the midst of the pandemic.
The president invited a group of 10 Republican senators, led by Senator Susan Collins of Maine, to the White House on Monday to discuss a potential agreement on a coronavirus relief plan that could win bipartisan support to pass the Senate.
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The group also includes Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska; Bill Cassidy, from Louisiana; Mitt Romney, from Utah; Rob Portman of Ohio; Shelley Moore Capito, of West Virginia; Todd Young, of Indiana; Jerry Moran from Kansas; Mike Rounds of South Dakota; and Thom Tillis of North Carolina.
Republicans announced a $ 600 billion plan on Sunday, which includes stimulus checks of $ 1,000 per person and $ 300 per week in increased unemployment benefits until June 30.
The package, however, is significantly smaller than Biden’s American Rescue Plan, which would cost a whopping $ 1.9 trillion.
Psaki, on Monday, said that Biden “made it clear, long before he took office, that he is open to getting involved with both Democrats and Republicans in Congress,” and called Monday’s meeting with Republican senators a ” opportunity “for an” exchange of ideas. ”
“I think the president believes that we can, and that there is historical evidence, that it is possible to take a number of paths, including through reconciliation and for the vote to be bipartisan,” said Psaki, adding that Biden is open to listening to the Republicans “concerns and ideas” and is “always open to make this package stronger.”
White House press secretary Jen Psaki speaks during a press conference at the White House on Monday, February 1, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo / Evan Vucci)
((AP Photo / Evan Vucci))
Psaki added that Monday’s meeting is an “effort to engage on a bipartisan basis and that is why he invited them to the White House today.”
“But his view is that the size of the package needs to be proportional to the double crises we face,” said Psaki, adding that the president “clearly” thinks the White House package “needs to be closer than he proposed.”
“Reopening schools, getting shot in the arms of Americans, making sure people have food to eat, these are not democratic issues,” said Psaki. “He wants to have a conversation with the Republicans … He appreciates the opportunity to work with the members.”
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Psaki also assured that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., And Senate majority leader, Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., were in direct contact with the president and members of the White House senior team.
Psaki called the coronavirus aid package move “incredibly urgent”, but said, however, “there is still time to make changes and continue to discuss.”
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Even if Biden and the Republicans reach an agreement somewhere between their respective proposals, it is not clear whether the plan would be able to garner support from all 50 Senate Democrats, who are pushing for bold and immediate action. Congressional Democrats will present budget resolutions in each chamber this week, the first step towards parliamentary budgetary reconciliation strategy once a fiscal year. Using this, they can pass a bill without GOP support, although it can take weeks.
Tyler Olson, Chad Pergram and Megan Henney of Fox News contributed to this report.