GOP senators balk at $ 1.9 trillion price tag for Biden’s COVID-19 bill

Washington – Some Republican senators have expressed concerns over the price of $ 1.9 trillion on President Biden’s proposal for a new coronavirus relief bill, as Congressional Democrats plan to pursue a process to pass the legislation without any Republican votes.

Congress passed a $ 900 billion relief bill late last month, but Mr. Biden and Congressional Democrats argued more action was needed to stabilize the economy. Republicans noted that not all funds provided by this law were distributed.

“The administration sent out a $ 1.9 trillion proposal, weeks after we just spent $ 900 billion that has not yet been accounted for,” GOP Senator Rob Portman said Tuesday. He argued that some provisions of Mr Biden’s bill, such as increasing the minimum wage to $ 15 an hour and providing funds for cybersecurity, were unrelated to the pandemic.

Democrats have the narrowest majority possible in the House with 50 seats, and Vice President Kamala Harris casts a decisive vote. Most laws require 60 votes to end debate and organize a full vote in the Senate. This means Democrats will need to gain the support of 10 Republicans, unless they choose to use a method to pass legislation known as budget reconciliation, which only requires a simple majority vote.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Tuesday he told fellow Democrats they should be ready to vote on a budget resolution as early as next week, which would be the first step in the reconciliation process budgetary.

“Our caucus is united in the extent to which we need big, bold changes,” Schumer told reporters. However, he said “we still hope that [Republicans will] see the light, ”and noted that Republicans could vote in favor of the proposal even if they go ahead with fiscal reconciliation.

Senator Bernie Sanders, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, said Democrats were already working on drafting legislation for fiscal reconciliation.

“We’re working on it right now,” Sanders said. “I think there is a consensus. If the Republicans aren’t ready to come on board, that’s fine. We’re not going to wait. We are moving forward quickly and aggressively.”

Republican Senator Todd Young told reporters on Monday that he did not think there would be a bipartisan deal on COVID unless “there is significant movement by the administration.” Mr Biden has vowed to work with Republicans, and Portman said Tuesday it would be a “big mistake” for Democrats to use budget reconciliation rather than trying to negotiate with Republicans to craft bipartisan legislation.

“I really think it will be the White House and the Democrats’ call to see if they want to work with a bipartisan team to improve the legislation or if they want to advance a reconciliation, a bill that has never been accompanied by only one party. ”Republican Senator Mitt Romney told reporters on Tuesday.

A bipartite group of 16 senators spoke with officials in the Biden administration on Sunday to discuss coronavirus legislation. The hour-and-15-minute call was put together by moderate Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia.

Although some attendees called the meeting “productive” and a good first step, Republican Senator Susan Collins, who attended the meeting, called it “premature” to discuss legislative action of this magnitude and depth. scope. She said she would come up with a more “targeted” package, focusing particularly on vaccine distribution.

Collins said she received more information on the White House proposal on Monday, but still needed more details.

“The administration is sending and sent us data to give us more details on the specifics of their package. We just got it and are starting to review it. So, this is a good step, but it doesn’t There has still been no answer to the question of how much money has yet to be allocated, ”Collins told reporters on Tuesday.

Democrats still haven’t ruled out using the budget reconciliation to pass coronavirus relief. Lawmakers “must do it,” Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar said on Tuesday.

“I will not let the unemployed Americans at a time of skyrocketing numbers be pushed off an economic cliff,” Democratic Senator Ron Wyden told reporters on Monday.

Jack Turman contributed reporting.