Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., Accused President Biden of abandoning true unity for a “patina of unity” and said the president could not issue his group of interim senators before presenting his $ 1.9 proposal. billion coronavirus stimulus released earlier in January. .
Cassidy is one of ten Republican senators who on Sunday proposed an alternative $ 600 billion aid package for the coronavirus.
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“We are focused on the needs of the American people and treat our tax money as if it is our tax money and not just money to spend,” Cassidy told Fox News Sunday. “If you say you want a two-party … and then you have a budget reconciliation that is full of payouts to Democratic constituencies … you do not want a two-party, you want the patina of two parties.”
Cassidy claimed that Biden did not even try to work with his dual group of senators.
“The president’s team did not reach anyone in our group, Democrats or Republicans, when they drafted their proposal,” Cassidy said. “If you want unity, if you want duality, you have to start with a group that shows that they are willing to work together for a common solution.
In this January 11 file, kindergarten teacher Angela Panush reads a story to her students at the Dawes Elementary in Chicago. (Ashlee Rezin Garcia / Chicago Sun-Times via AP, Pool File)
Cassidy said the senators’ proposal is in line with Biden’s $ 160 billion pledge to fund vaccinations and includes $ 20 billion “to get children back to school.” Cassidy and his fellow Senate Republicans Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitt Romney of Utah, Rob Portman of Ohio, Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, Todd Young of Indiana, Jerry Moran of Kansas, Mike Rounds of South Dakota, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina sent a letter to Biden on Sunday.
“In the spirit of duality and unity, we have developed a COVID-19 assistance framework that builds on previous COVID assistance laws, all of which have been implemented with dual support,” they wrote. “Our proposal reflects many of your stated priorities, and with your support, we believe this plan can be quickly approved by Congress with dual support.”
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Cassidy said direct payments for coronavirus relief should be more targeted.
“Above a certain income level, that money is not spent … does not stimulate the economy,” he said.
Biden said his proposal would speed up the country’s COVID vaccination program, improve coronavirus testing capacity to reopen businesses and schools, and provide $ 1,400 stimulants for Americans.
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Biden describes it as his “American rescue plan.”
“We not only have an economic necessity to act now – I believe we have a moral obligation,” Biden said in a televised speech on January 14.
Fox Stein’s Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.