President Joe Biden met 10 Republican senators this Monday afternoon to discuss his alternative proposal for an aid package that considers a lower amount than the president’s initial proposal.
“We have described the amenities to the president we have proposed as part of a package of about $ 600 billion. It was a very good exchange of views, ”Republican Senator Susan Collins from Maine told a news conference.
“I wouldn’t say we agreed on a package tonight. Nobody expected that in a two-hour meeting. ‘
Compared to Biden’s proposal, the Republican plan argues more emphasis on the health effects of the crisis, including more funding for the launch of a vaccine. But it limits unemployment benefits to Americans and does not include aid to states and places.
Biden’s plan would send $ 1,400 payments to most Americans, in addition to the $ 600 incentive checks passed by Congress in December, while the $ 618 billion Republican alternative sees only $ 1,000 to a smaller group of Americans.
Lawmakers, including senators Susan Collins from tomorrow, Lisa Murkowski from Alaska, Mitt Romney from Utah and Rob Portman from Ohio, they told Biden in a letter that they had devised the plan “in the spirit of duality and unity” urged by the president.
Nine of the Republican senators who signed the letter attended the meeting in person, and Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota attended the meeting by telephone, according to the group.
Although Biden agreed to meet with the group, the White House and Democrats in Congress were able to proceed with the original plan without the support of the Republicans.