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House before an Oval Office meeting with President Joe Biden, a group of 10 Republican senators unveied the outlines of their $618 billion COVID-19 relief.
The plan’s estimated cost is about a third of the $1.9 trillion Biden has proposed, putting it on a collision course with progressive Democrats who have opposed a small package.Â
The group of senators, which includes key Republican moderates like Susan Collins of Maine, Mitt Romney of Utah, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, said they looked forward to meeting with Biden and noted their framework shared many of Biden’s priorities like increased funding for the COVID-19 vaccine, extended unemployment insurance benefits, and nutrition assistance.
The proposal does not include any direct funding for state or local governments, a top Democratic priority.
The GOPÂ package includes:
- $1,000 stimulus checks, compared to $1,400 checks proposed in Biden’s plan
- $160 billion in funding for vaccines, PPE for first responders, relief for hospitals, and COVID testing
- $300 per week in a federal boost to unemployment benefits running until June 30, compared to $400 a week through September in Biden’s plan
- $50 billion in small business relief
- $12 billion in nutrition aid
- $4 billion in behavioral health funding
The group of senators and other Republicans have balked at the price tag for Biden’s package, arguing that another large package might not be needed after Congress passed a $900 billion package in December. Â
– Nicholas Wu
President Joe Biden will meet Monday with GOP senators to discuss their counter proposal for a COVID relief package.
During a call with Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, on Sunday, Biden invited her and the group’s nine other members to join him at the White House “for a full exchange of views,†White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement.
In addition to Collins, the Republican group includes Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La.; Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.; Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan.; Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio; Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah; Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Sen. Michael Rounds, R-S.D.; and Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind.
The senators asked for a meeting in a letter to Biden Sunday that emphasized possible areas of agreement.
The senators did not specify how close they are willing to get to the $1.9 trillion price tag on the president’s plan. Instead, they outlined their spending priorities which include $160 billion on vaccines, testing, treatment and personal protective equipment.
“Our proposal reflects many of your stated priorities, and with your support, we believe that this plan could be approved quickly by Congress with bipartisan support,†the senators wrote.
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They backed new funding for mental health services, extending enhanced unemployment benefits and expanding food assistance. While the group also supports an additional round of direct payments to families, the letter implies the senators want a more targeted approached than in the current proposal.
Psaki reiterated the administration’s position that Congress must act quickly and should err on the side of providing too much, rather than too little, assistance.
She began her statement by noting Biden also spoke Sunday with the top Democratic leaders in Congress about quickly moving a plan.
Biden would prefer to get Republican support for legislation, but Democrats are preparing to push forward on their own, if necessary.
“With the virus posing a grave threat to the country, and economic conditions grim for so many, the need for action is urgent,†Psaki said, “and the scale of what must be done is large.â€
– Maureen Groppe
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