Republican leaders in both chambers are maneuvering to keep all their members in line with the $ 1.9 trillion Covid-19 contingency plan, a move that would deny President Biden a two-pronged victory and one that could strike the bill in the Senate as a Democrat breaks through. .
But the move poses a political risk to Republicans, with polls showing the majority of Americans are supporting an emergency rescue package and the economy is still reeling from the coronavirus pandemic.
So the Republicans now plan to launch an urgent public relations push to claim that the bill is bloated, ill-targeted, and contains a hodgepodge of measures aimed at pleasing the Democratic base – a message that party leaders discussed with their members at a private GOP lunch on Tuesday and that they plan to echo in the coming days, attendees say.
“If the Democrats are going to continue on the path they are taking and that is to make no attempt to get Republican input or ideas, it will make it difficult for our members, even those who are inclined to vote for it. whatever to vote, “Senate Minority Whip John Thune told CNN.” So, when it’s in its current outline, it’s hard to see there are many, if any, Republicans in favor, especially given the way Democrats are doing it. have approached. ”
Over lunch on Tuesday, GOP senators discussed the Democrats bill at length, with emerging attendees criticizing it in harsh terms. They discussed their strategy of putting the Democrats in a tough political position when amendments are voted in the Senate next week, while also putting forward some mediocre amendments that those in attendance said could receive some democratic support.
And then Mitch McConnell, Senate minority leader, viewed the Democrats’ plan as “utterly partisan,” while acknowledging that his party had work to do on reporting in light of public support for the Biden plan. .
“I’m sure everyone would enjoy getting a check,” McConnell said, referring to the checks of up to $ 1,400 for certain individuals in the proposal. “But they have not yet learned what else is in it and part of our job as a substantial minority. Remember we are in a 50-50 senate here, to make sure the American people fully understand what is being proposed. . “
Democrats, however, claim they have a mandate after they win the White House and Senate, and are taking urgent steps to provide aid to an American public suffering the devastating toll of the ongoing pandemic. They have insisted that they are willing to work with Republicans, but will not water the plan – a lesson they say they learned from then-President Barack Obama’s first stimulus plan in 2009.
CNN’s Olanma Mang, Ted Barrett and Lauren Fox contributed to the reporting of this post.