He said in an interview that he fears that increased benefits could make it harder for employees to return to their workplaces, and that in the summer “there should be doors opening, ready to leave.” But Democratic leaders are still not convinced of the change.
“They call it segmentation, which means that the total sum may not change, but its allocation may,” said Senate majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). “I don’t agree with them on the unemployment side.” Stricter targeting of the humanitarian aid bill’s stimulus checks is being discussed, Durbin said. “
Democrats don’t have much time to fight over Covid’s massive move, with the debate scheduled to start on Wednesday. Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer promises to send the bill to Biden’s desk before March 14, when the increase in federal unemployment benefits will expire. The previous coronavirus relief package, which Congress passed in December, allocated an extra $ 300 in weekly unemployment benefits to help recover from the pandemic.
A group of moderate Democratic senators spoke to Biden on Monday about the coronavirus aid package, and the president is expected to speak to the entire Democratic bench on Tuesday during his virtual lunch. Whether the centrists will achieve the desired changes may depend on Biden’s conversation with the caucus.
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) Said, “The president believes, I believe, that the supplement should be $ 400.” But Manchin said he does not remember Biden taking a hard line and said “Joe is in a difficult position because he has people who beat him across the board”.
“He is more inclined to let the process work,” said Manchin of Biden’s confidence in the Senate Democrats to resolve it.
The United States Chamber of Commerce is endorsing pressure to reduce Biden’s bill. “We need Congress to settle the policy with highly targeted assistance to the most needy,” said Neil Bradley, the Chamber’s executive vice president and policy director, in a statement. “As currently drafted, the American Rescue Plan fails the test.”
Senate Democrats said Monday night that they will need to make changes to the version of coronavirus relief legislation that the House passed last week. That package included a clause that would raise the federal minimum wage to $ 15 an hour by 2025, which the Senate congressman said would violate house rules if it remains in the legislation.
“My guess is that it will probably change, but very modestly. That would be my guess, ”said Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) Monday night.
The Senate congressman decided separately on Monday night that Democrats can retain health benefits in the bill to help laid-off workers continue with their former employers’ health insurance. Democrats drafted several versions of the bill to comply with Senate rules. Nothing was finalized even before the Senate plenary debate.
Democrats are preparing for a coronavirus package voting marathon as early as Thursday. Any senator can propose an amendment to the bill in what is likely to become an all-night affair on the Senate floor.
Once the Senate bill is approved, the House will need to resume it with the changes approved by the Senate before Congress can send the legislation to Biden’s table.
“There really isn’t much dispute about the overall size of the bill,” said Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) on Monday. “The question is whether it can be targeted to better serve the people who need it most and perhaps free up resources for other priorities.