Efforts to issue a $ 1.9 trillion coronavirus stimulus package advanced Tuesday, after a budget resolution passed its first Senate test and President Joe Biden told Democrats on Tuesday that a Republican counter-proposal was too small used to be.
The Senate voted along party lines, 50-49, to begin debate on the resolution, which would set in motion a process known as reconciliation, prevent a filibuster, and allow Congress to vote in Biden’s plan by majority vote. both houses.
Biden previously addressed the Senate Democratic caucus at the virtual luncheon, saying he had told GOP senators he spoke to at the White House the day before that their $ 618 billion package wasn’t enough.
“President Biden spoke of the need for Congress to respond boldly and quickly,” Senate leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., said at a Capitol news conference after lunch.
“He was very strong in emphasizing the need for a big, powerful package. He said he told Senate Republicans that the $ 600 billion they proposed was far too small. If we made such a small package, we would be stuck in the COVID crisis for years. “
Like Biden, Schumer said he welcomed the support of the GOP and would cherish amendments to the larger bill once it reached the Senate floor, but would move towards a swift approval of the legislation.
“We share President Biden’s desire to advance this legislation in two ways, but the work needs to move forward,” said Schumer. “We’re not going to dilute, hesitate, or delay because the needs of the American people are just too great.”
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White House press secretary Jen Psaki said during her daily briefing on Tuesday that there would be many opportunities for Republicans to make suggestions or changes while drafting the bill.
“At any point in the process, a two-tier bill could be passed on the floor,” she said. “So just creating the possibility for reconciliation with a budget resolution does not rule out other legislative options.”
A study published this week by S&P Global found that the $ 1.9 trillion package would restore the US economy to pre-pandemic levels. That level of spending “would have the biggest impact on the economy this year,” the report said.
S&P Global also found that the $ 1,400 direct payments “would likely be the strongest support to the economy in 2021” as those receiving payments “spend most of the money shortly after receiving the checks from the government.”
The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a progressive research group, said 90% of New Jersey adults and 91% of children would receive at least partial payment. But that’s a lower percentage than any other state associated with Massachusetts. Of the 5.6 million adults in the state who would receive an incentive check, only 36,900 would be in the top 5% of taxpayers.
The GOP plan would offer up to $ 1,000 in payments, and far fewer people would get money.
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Jonathan D. Salant can be reached at [email protected].