Right now, Biden and Harris are looking to pass a $1.9 trillion spending package through Congress; Democrats in both the House and the Senate remain confident in their ability to pass this legislation without any GOP support.
The ten Republicans who met with Biden, however, have presented an alternative coronavirus relief package. Rather than Biden’s $1.9 trillion package, the GOP seeks a $600 billion relief bill; this package would grant stimulus checks to low-income workers, aid small businesses, provide funding for COVID-19 vaccine production/distribution, and more.
Where the Biden administration stands on a coronavirus relief package
A released statement from White House press secretary Jen Psaki is very telling on where the Biden administration presently stands. Psaki informed the nation that the 46th president won’t “slow down” work on a package; the White House aide also declared that Biden has zero intention of agreeing to a relief bill that doesn’t “meet the moment.”
As things currently stand, there’s no sign that the meeting between Biden-Harris and Republicans will change the current trajectory. This is underscored by the reality that congressional Democrats are openly indicating zero interest in working with their GOP colleagues.
