Biden on Sunday invited the group of 10 senators to meet with him “for a full exchange of views” after receiving their letter, according to White House press secretary Jen Psaki.
Their proposal came after Biden said he’s open to passing portions of his $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief proposal via reconciliation if Republicans reject the measure. That includes $1,400 stimulus checks, unemployment assistance, and funding for local and state governments.
The senators said in their letter that while parts of the proposal mirror Biden’s plan, their proposal includes more targeted assistance.
“We propose an additional round of economic impact payments for those families who need assistance the most, including their dependent children and adults. Our plan also includes extending enhanced federal unemployment benefits at the current level and fully funding your request for nutrition assistance to help struggling families,” the letter states.
Biden said on Friday that he would like to receive support from Republicans for his proposal but indicated that it would pass even without their support.
“I support passing COVID relief with support from Republicans if we can get it. But the COVID relief has to pass—no ifs, ands, or buts,” he said.
The administration is open to the idea of targeting stimulus checks to those making under a certain amount as well as other ideas, Brian Deese, an economic adviser to Biden, said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
“We are open to looking at how to make the entire package effective at achieving its objective, including providing support to families with children, providing direct child tax credits to families that have children and who have been hit the hardest in this crisis,” he said.
Asked whether Democrats would agree to remove a minimum wage increase from the package, Cedric Richmond, an adviser to the president, said he wouldn’t “negotiate on TV.”
“The minimum wage has been expanded or increased during times of crisis before. It’s been increased under Republican presidents and Democratic presidents. And it’s a great way to lift people out of poverty. And if you think of all the frontline workers that are out there risking their lives every day, who probably have not been vaccinated yet. So, you’re talking about grocery store clerks and everyone else,” he said on CBS' “Face the Nation.”
Psaki said in her statement that the scope and size of Biden’s proposal are necessary to counter the pandemic.
“With the virus posing a grave threat to the country, and economic conditions grim for so many, the need for action is urgent, and the scale of what must be done is large,” she said.
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) indicated last week that Democrats were willing to move forward with the next CCP virus relief package without Republicans and would potentially start the process next week.
“The dangers of undershooting our response are far greater than overshooting,” he said, adding that “the Senate as early as next week will begin the process of considering a very strong COVID relief bill.”
Some Republicans are questioning the need for a large spending package just a month after the $900 billion relief package.
The senators who signed the letter include Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio).
