Officials in President Biden’s government on Sunday called on a two-member group of senators to discuss the White House’s proposed COVID-19 aid package.
Several senators have confirmed their participation in the call, with some Democratic senators describing the conversation as ‘productive’.
Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin
Dick Durbin Capitol Uprising: A PATRIOT Act 2.0? Sunday shows preview: All eyes on Biden administration to tackle coronavirus Overnight Health Care – Fauci: Lack of facts likely to cost lives in coronavirus battle | CDC changes COVID-19 vaccine line to barely mix Pfizer, Moderna shots | Senate chaos threatens to delay Biden’s agenda MORE (D-Ill.) Described the discussion as ‘refreshing’ and said it had been ‘a long time’ since the White House had ‘fully addressed this pandemic with a focus on science and federal leadership’.
“In the spirit of unity we saw on the Western Front of the Capitol on Wednesday, the Senate must meet on a dual basis and provide the resources the American people need to survive this pandemic and this long financial hardship,” he said. he said.
Sen. Angus King
Angus King: The next pandemic could be cyber – How the Biden government can stop it. The Senate gang to talk to Biden Assistant about coronavirus relief. Angus King warns of Trump’s ‘serious danger’ of revealing more information. (Maine) said in a tweet that the call centered on ‘policy solutions’ and that it was in itself ‘remarkable’.
“Let’s continue to work together to accelerate the spread of vaccines and support Americans during this pandemic,” he posted.
Brian Deese
Brian Deese The memorandum: Biden dares to do anything The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Next steps in the Trump indictment The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden’s crisis agenda hits more wind, the director of the National Economic Council, hosted the private Zoom call that 16 senators, eight from each party, were invited to attend, according to reports from CNN and The Washington Post.
Senators have reportedly called for those most in need to be emergency and called for the distribution of vaccines to be a top priority.
Lawmakers from the upper chamber investigated White House officials during the call, which lasted more than an hour, about where stimulus money is needed, what the justification is for high spending and whether the proposed direct checks of $ 1400 more can be adapted for the needy. , several stakeholders told the Post and CNN.
Louisa TerrellLouisa Terrell MORE, the director of legislation in the White House, and Jeff Zients
Jeff Zients Distributed vaccine distribution puts an early test for Biden Biden under pressure to deliver more COVID-19 shots. Fauci: We are no longer starting to distribute vaccines., the White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator, also joined the call allegedly made by Sen. Joe Manchin
Joseph (Joe) Manchin OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Biden EPA asks Justice Department to interrupt Trump-era defense | Company Appeals Pebble Mine Rejection | Energy pick Granholm gets trial on Wednesday Nomination hearing for Biden Energy pick Granholm plans for Bipartisan Senate gang to talk to Biden assistant about coronavirus relief MORE (DW.Va.).
The White House did not immediately return a request for comment.
Prior to the call, Deese told reporters he wanted to stress to senators that “we are in a difficult time for the virus and the economy” and pointed out that “decisive action” is needed to prevent “us in a very serious situation. economic hole falls, According to the Post.
The $ 1.9 trillion plan also includes an extension of unemployment benefits in mid-March and an increase in the federal minimum wage to $ 15 per hour, in addition to direct checks.
Several Republicans have criticized the Biden administration’s plan as too expensive, while GOP senators have specifically expressed concern about the minimum wage increase during the call, two people known to the Post said.
“There are still a lot of unanswered questions, especially how the administration required $ 1.9 billion dollars, as our figures show that there is still about $ 1.8 billion left to spend,” Sen. Susan Collins
Susan Margaret Collins: The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden’s Crisis Agenda Hits the Wind. GOP senators say only a few Republicans will vote to condemn Trump. For Biden, a Senate hearing could help the two parties around COVID relief. (R-Maine) told the Post. “We hope to have more information documenting its need.”
Several Republicans have suggested that Biden and the Democrats would be more fortunate if they passed the individual pieces of the bill instead of the comprehensive package.
“The president wants to extend unemployment benefits if people are still unemployed, that is definitely something we would look at. We last thought that states needed help, a salvation for states and places that might have had a reduction in their income. It is appropriate, but if you will, the overall figure is quite shocking. ” Sen. Mitt Romney
Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneySunday shows preview: All eyes on Biden’s government to tackle coronavirus The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden’s crisis agenda hits windy GOP senators say only a few Republicans will vote to convict Trump MORE (R-Utah) said Sunday morning.
But a person on the call told CNN the White House still wants to continue with the $ 1.9 billion package instead of splitting parts of it into smaller accounts.
“President Biden and his advisers will continue to engage and consult groups of two-party legislators, to raise the issue of why urgent action is needed to bring relief to communities and families who are hard hit, and more resources for public health officials so that we can ramp up vaccinations, ”a White House official told the network.