Efforts to introduce a $ 1.9 billion coronavirus stimulus package progressed Tuesday when a budget resolution passed its first Senate test, and President Joe Biden told Democrats on Tuesday that a Republican counter-proposal was too small wash.
The Senate voted 50-49 on party lines to begin the debate on the resolution, which would trigger a process known as reconciliation, which would prevent a filibuster and enable Congress to pass Biden’s plan by a majority vote. carry through both houses.
Earlier, Biden addressed the Democratic caucus of the Senate during his virtual lunch, saying that he had told the GOP senators with whom he had met in the White House the previous day that their $ 618 billion package was not enough.
“President Biden has spoken about the need for Congress to respond boldly and swiftly,” Senate Leader Chuck Schumer told a news conference in the Capitol after lunch.
“He emphasizes the need for a large, daring package. He said he had told Republicans in the Senate that the $ 600 billion they were proposing was far too small. If we were to do such a package, we would be trapped in the COVID crisis for years. ‘
Like Biden, Schumer said he welcomes the support of the IDP and will propose amendments to the larger bill as soon as it reaches the Senate floor, but that he will move quickly to the legislation.
“We share President Biden’s desire to promote this legislation in a twofold way, but the work must move forward,” Schumer said. “We are not going to dilute, obliterate or delay because the needs of the American people are just too great.”
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White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said during her daily briefing on Tuesday that there would be many opportunities while the bill was being drafted for Republicans to present proposals or amendments.
“At some point in the process, a dual bill could move to the floor,” she said. “Creating the option of reconciliation with a budget resolution therefore does not exclude other legislative options.”
A study released by S&P Global this week found that the $ 1.9 billion package would restore the US economy to pre-pandemic levels. The level of spending “has the strongest impact on the economy this year,” the report said.
S&P Global also found that the $ 1,400 direct payments’ are likely to be the strongest support for the economy in 2021 ‘because those who receive payments’ spend the most money shortly after receiving government checks. ‘
The Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy, a progressive research group, said 90% of New Jersey adults and 91% of children would receive at least a partial payment. But that’s a lower percentage than any other state linked to Massachusetts. Of the 5.6 million adults in the state who would receive a stimulus check, only 36,900 of them would be in the top 5% of taxpayers.
The IDP plan offers a maximum of $ 1,000 payments, and far fewer people will receive money.
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Jonathan D. Salant can be reached at [email protected].