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Biden, Senate Republicans Far Apart on New Virus Relief Bill

Ken Bredemeier

   WASHINGTON - U.S. President Joe Biden is hosting 10 Republican senators
   for talks Monday about a new round of coronavirus economic relief, but
   the U.S. leader and the lawmakers are far apart on how much should be
   spent.

   The Democratic president, in the second week of his four-year term, has
   proposed a $1.9 trillion package but the opposition lawmakers on Monday
   called for a $618 billion deal.

   The White House meeting comes after the Republicans sent a letter to
   Biden, urging him Sunday to negotiate on a new relief deal rather than
   trying to get his approved solely with the votes of congressional
   Democrats.

   Ahead of the meeting, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told
   reporters that while the president is willing to negotiate, "Clearly,
   he thinks the package size needs to be closer to what he proposed than
   smaller."

   Biden said on Twitter, "Hardworking Americans need help, and they need
   it now. That's why I'm calling on Congress to immediately pass my
   American Rescue Plan that will deliver direct relief, extend
   unemployment insurance, help folks put food on the table and keep a
   roof over their heads, and more."

   Both Biden and the Republicans are calling for $160 billion for
   testing, vaccines and personal protective equipment on top of hundreds
   of billions that were approved last year as the virus swept into the
   United States.

   But the president and the lawmakers diverge on other aid proposals.
   Biden wants to increase $300 weekly unemployment insurance payments
   from the federal government to $400 and extend them through September,
   while the Republicans want to keep the payments at the current $300 and
   only through July.

   Biden has proposed sending most Americans, all but the biggest wage
   earners, $1,400 checks on top of the $600 checks that were approved by
   former President Donald Trump in late December. The Republicans are
   supporting $1,000 checks for lower-income Americans.

   Biden agreed to meet with the Republicans as Democratic congressional
   leaders mapped plans to move quickly this week to adopt Biden's plan
   with only the votes of Democrats that control both chambers of
   Congress.

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