Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia is using his crucial vote to pressure Democrats to lower the $ 1,400 trillion stimulus check cap on President Joe Biden’s $ 1,400 aid package.
Senator Jon Tester of Montana confirmed that a group of moderate Democrats met with Biden at the White House on Monday to discuss amendments to the House of Representatives’ approved coronavirus economic relief bill on Friday evening. .
“We talked about the package and about targeting dollars,” he said.
Manchin, who attended the meeting, said his team is examining the bill and he is “talking” with party leaders to ensure that the measures are “targeted,” according to The hill.
In addition to further directing checks, Manchin also expressed concern about the high price associated with the $ 350 billion in aid to state and local governments and indicated that he wants to reduce the $ 400 weekly federal unemployment benefits. I am “very supportive” of the $ 300, he said on Monday. “We’re negotiating.”
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Each Democratic senator will need to align himself in the package to be approved using the budget process called reconciliation without the support of the Republican Party. After approval by the House last week, the bill now moves to the upper house, where moderate Democrats can join Republicans in offering amendments. Any approved amendments will then be sent back to the Chamber for a final vote.
During the budget debate, Manchin and Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine, a moderate, led a non-binding resolution to restrict high-income people from receiving direct payments. Collins also said he was in talks with Democrats about lowering the income limit last Tuesday.
Under the bill, individuals who earn less than $ 75,000 a year would receive $ 1,400 and couples who earn less than $ 150,000 would receive $ 2,800. Individuals who earn less than $ 100,000 will still receive a lower payment, but those who earn above will be completely eliminated.
Most Democrats support the current income limit. Asked about Biden’s meeting with moderate Democrats on Monday night, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren told MSNBC host Rachel Maddow that “she will push for more, not less, help for people.”
“I think this is extremely important,” she added.
On Sunday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden was still open to reducing the revenue cap for direct payments, but added that he would not negotiate the amount of checks.
Newsweek contacted Manchin’s office for further comments.