Democrats push ahead on COVID-19 relief, Biden flexible on who gets checks
The Democratic-controlled U.S. Congress pushed ahead on Wednesday with a maneuver to pass President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package without Republican support, as the White House said it was flexible on a key element of the plan.
Biden told Democrats he would consider tighter limits on who would qualify for $1,400 checks, although he said he would not compromise on the size of the payments. That could possibly narrow the gap between his package and the $600 billion Republican proposal.
Biden has promised to work with Republicans when possible, but he is also pressing Congress to move quickly before existing benefits expire in March.
The House of Representatives approved a budget plan on Wednesday that would allow it to pass the coronavirus package without a single Republican vote if necessary. The Senate has yet to vote on the plan.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the budget plan did not make cooperation impossible but that Democrats needed to be able to act on their own if need be. “We must use every option at our disposal,” she said on the House floor.
After meeting with Biden on Wednesday at the White House, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said his party was not inclined to scale back Biden’s package.
Reference: Reuters
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