President Biden asked Senate Democrats in a call on Tuesday to “grow” and move quickly on a COVID-19 relief bill, signaling that he is rejecting a $ 618 billion proposal sponsored by 10 Republican senators. as “very small”, although he is open to some of his ideas.
“It was clear,” said the senator. Tim Kaine
Timothy (Tim) Michael KaineDemocratic congressmen are on the wrong side of impeachment policy Biden wants Democrats to keep Trump’s trial short How McConnell derailed Trump’s impeachment trial before he started MORE (D-Va.) After the call. “Go big and be quick, because the American public is really suffering and really needs it.”
Biden told Democrats that his clear preference is for Congress to approve a $ 1.9 trillion package, despite concerns expressed by Republicans about the impact on the deficit.
Kaine said Biden did not close any doors to work with Republicans, but he wants Democrats to move a big package right away, which means that a special process known as budget reconciliation is almost certain to be passed to be approved by a simple majority vote. .
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer
Chuck SchumerBipartisanship in two hands – the remedy for political tribalism Fallen Capitol Policeman to be honored at the Roundabout Senate Democrats say consideration of cannabis-related reforms will be a priority MORE (DN.Y.) after the call said Biden rejected a $ 618 billion proposal sponsored by 10 moderate Republicans, which does not include aid to state and local governments and limits the size of direct checks to individuals to $ 1,000, for fall short of what is needed.
“President Biden spoke about the need for Congress to respond boldly and quickly. He was very strong in emphasizing the need for a big, bold package. He said he told Senate Republicans that the $ 600 billion they proposed was too small, ”Schumer told reporters after the call, relaying Biden’s comments to the group of Republicans who met with him at the White House on Monday. market.
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito
Shelley Wellons Moore Capito GOP senators reveal proposed 8 billion coronaviruses ahead of Biden’s meeting with Republican Party senators on Monday on coronavirus relief Moderates promise to ‘be a force’ under Biden MORE (RW.Va.) later confirmed that Biden told Republicans directly that his proposal was not spending enough money.
“I don’t think any of us left with any illusion that we were going to have big dramatic changes, but I think maybe some adjustments and some – maybe a little more back and forth, but I don’t think that’s where your team you want him to go and it doesn’t look like this is where they’re going, ”she said.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen
Janet Louise YellenLawmakers urge the IRS to increase the reach on tax credits for low-income Americans Trump’s former economic adviser asks Biden to ‘put the economy first’ in money: five questions about the GameStop controversy | Biden and Yellen call for quick action on new aid MORE, who also took part in the call on Tuesday with Senate Democrats, warned that injecting significantly less than Biden’s $ 1.9 trillion boost into the economy could have long-term consequences.
Schumer said Biden and Yellen believe that if Congress passes a relief bill significantly less than $ 1 trillion, “we will be mired in the COVID crisis for years”.
“We are not going to make the mistake of 2009 and have a very small and time-consuming package,” added Schumer.
“Secretary Yellen said that the $ 600 billion Republican wasn’t close enough and specifically noted that he didn’t do enough to help low-income families because he excluded [earned income tax credit] and the [child tax credit],” he said.
Sen. Chris Coons
Chris Andrew CoonsBiden wants Democrats to keep Trump’s trial short Hawley files ethical counter complaint against seven moderate Democratic senators promise to ‘be a force’ under Biden MORE (D-Del.), A close ally of Biden, said the president told Democrats on Tuesday that “the risks of becoming too big are outweighed by the risks of becoming too small and this is an urgent time”.
“While embracing the possibility of bipartisanship, it will not forget the middle class,” he added.
Shortly after the summons, the Senate voted 50-49 on a motion to proceed with a budget resolution that will include reconciliation instructions to allow a major COVID-19 relief package to pass without a Republican vote.