Harris appeared on WSAZ to talk about the massive relief package, saying: ‘According to your point in West Virginia, one in seven families describes their household as hungry, one in six is unable to pay their rent and one in four small businesses permanently closed or already closed, so this is a major problem in West Virginia and across the state. ”
Manchin is part of a dual group of senators who have pushed back against the government aid plan, insisting that the proposed $ 1,400 direct payments be targeted at those in greater need.
“We met with his economic team and they expressed what they wanted,” Manchin said in response to Harris. “We want to help everyone who needs help. But if someone earns $ 250K or $ 300K, I think they do not have as many needs as someone who earns $ 40K or 50K. That’s all I said. We’re going to target.
The vice president’s office declined to comment on Manchin’s comments.
Manchin’s bipartisan group made a call on Sunday with Brian Deese, director of the White House National Economic Council, Jeff Zients, coordinator of Biden’s coronavirus, and Louisa Terrell, head of legislative affairs in the White House. Americans.
Manchin called for targeted lighting tests on CNN’s “State of the Union” on January 10.
“I’m on board helping people who need help, people who really can ‘t do it, people who do not have jobs, they can not put food on their table. I fully support them,” Manchin told CNN said ‘State of the Union’.
Leading Democrats have indicated they will start moving on to a coronavirus package next week as part of an agreement with Republicans or by using the budget reconciliation process.
Eugene Daniels contributed to this report.