Senator Mitt Romney, a Republican from Utah, overhears at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing about Iran-US relations on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, October 16, 2019.
Al Drago | Bloomberg | Getty Images
WASHINGTON – A group of 10 Republican senators called on President Joe Biden to consider a smaller, alternative Covid-19 relief proposal as his government works on a $ 1.9 trillion package to address the economic impact of the pandemic to grab.
In a letter to Biden on Sunday, sens. Susan Collins from Maine, Mitt Romney from Utah, Rob Portman from Ohio, Lisa Murkowski from Alaska and five other lawmakers that they would unveil their bill Monday.
“We recognize your call for unity and are committed to working in good faith with your administration to address the health, economic and societal challenges of the Covid crisis,” the senators wrote.
“With your support, we believe that Congress can once again put together an aid package that will provide meaningful, effective aid to the American people and put us on the path to recovery,” the group wrote to ask for a meeting with Biden to discuss the proposed legislation in more detail.
The Republican senators explained that their version of the Covid aid package provides “more targeted aid” to Americans in greatest need. The proposed legislation will call for a total of $ 160 billion for vaccine development and distribution, testing and tracking, treatment and other critical supplies.
The senators explained the following details of their plan:
- An additional round of economic impact payments for families who need help the most, including their dependent children and adults.
- Extends enhanced federal unemployment benefits to current levels.
- Fully funds nutritional aid to help families in difficulty.
- Additional resources to help small businesses and their employees through the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program.
- Funds funds for the safe opening of schools and for childcare.
- Offers $ 4 billion to bolster behavioral health and substance abuse services.
On Sunday, Portman told CNN’s “State of the Union” that the proposal would be a leaner version of what was presented by the Biden administration.
“It would be less than $ 1.9 [trillion] because much of what the administration has prepared has nothing to do with Covid-19, “Portman explained.” As an example, with regard to direct payments, we think they should be much more targeted, ”he added.
Brian Deese, director of the National Economic Council, told MSNBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday that the White House had received the letter and was open to discuss the proposed legislation.
“The president has said repeatedly that he is open to ideas wherever they go, that we can improve the approach to actually address this crisis. What he does not compromise on is the need to act quickly with this. a comprehensive approach, ”said Deese. .
“We have been in contact with members of Congress from both parties and in both houses for the past two weeks. We will continue to do so as we move forward,” he added.
Deese also told CNN’s “State of the Union” that the government is willing to negotiate stimulus controls.
The Republican counter-proposal comes as the House will pass a budget resolution this week, the first step toward approving the emergency through reconciliation. The process would allow Senate Democrats to pass an aid measure without Republican backing.
New York Senate Leader Chuck Schumer announced last week that the chamber would also work to pass a budget resolution soon. He said the Senate “will start considering a very strong Covid bill as early as next week.”
When asked if Senate Democrats could get the bailout bill through the reconciliation process, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders told ABC’s “This Week” that he believed the party had the votes to do so.
“It’s hard for me to imagine a Democrat, no matter what state he or she comes from, who doesn’t understand the need to move forward in an aggressive way now to protect the working families of this country,” Sanders said. .
“Look, we’re all going to have disagreements, this is a $ 1.9 trillion bill, I have differences and concerns about this law, but at the end of the day we’re going to support the president of the United States and we’re going to do that. what the American people want us to do overwhelmingly, ”he added.
CNBC’s Jacob Pramuk, Tucker Higgins and Emma Newburger contributed to this report from New York.