President Biden said on Monday that he is open to negotiating income limits for a new round of stimulus payments while seeking to enact a coronavirus aid package early in his presidency.
“This is all a moving target in terms of how accurately this happens,” he said at an event in which he signed an executive order aimed at increasing federal purchases of American-made goods.
Biden earlier this month released a $ 1.9 trillion relief proposal, which included direct payments of $ 1,400 per person. He said he included this item in his proposed package because it has bipartisan support and because he thought that its inclusion could increase the chances of his proposal being approved.
However, some lawmakers have expressed concern that payments may not be targeted enough to those most in need and may go to some high-income families.
Biden’s proposal did not specify income limits, but legislation providing for previous rounds of direct payments authorized total amounts for individuals with incomes up to $ 75,000 and couples with incomes up to $ 150,000. Payment amounts were then gradually reduced for families above these limits.
Biden said he is willing to discuss what income eligibility requirements should be on a new bill.
“Is there a legitimate reason for people to say, ‘Did you draw the lines the right way? Should you go to someone who wins more than X or Y?’ he said. “I am open to negotiating these things.”