Klain: COVID-19 relief could be the first example of post-election bipartisan action

President elect Joe bidenJoe BidenObama: ‘American adversaries saw us weakened’ US sees 1 million new cases of coronavirus in one week GOP shows limited appetite to continue Biden investigations MORENew chief of staff to chief of staff Ron Klain said on Sunday that passing a COVID-19 relief bill could be the first bipartisan move after the election, as Biden’s team continues to wait for government officials and resources to access the formal transition process.

“There are a lot of things that are going to have to wait until Joe Biden is president, but this is not one of them.” Klain said when asked about the potential of a new congressional COVID-19 relief bill. “It’s a national crisis. National bipartite action is now needed. “

Months of blocked negotiations between the President Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiPrinceton, professor of history, says Biden won with unstable Democratic coalition Klain: COVID-19 relief could be the first example of post-election bipartisan action Fears of a double-dip recession are rising as COVID-19 PLUS cases (D-Calif.) And members of the Trump administration have failed to come to any agreement on a new round of COVID-19-related relief for Americans. Klain praised Pelosi, insisting that the incoming administration would “get her back.”

“What I want her to hear is that we help her deal with this. But we have the backs of the American people, ”Klain said on NBC’s“ Meet the Press ”. “I mean, Chuck, it’s not that she hasn’t been at the table. She has been at the table. We just saw that the administration – the current administration – has moved away from the table. So our message to President Pelosi is to keep doing what you’re doing. For Republicans, let’s do this. I mean, this could be a prime example of bipartisan action after the election. “

Although the Trump administration is not officially participating in the transition process and Trump has not conceded the election, Biden announced members of its COVID-19 Advisory Board, with medical advisers from previous administrations joining the team, such as former surgeon general Dr. Vivek MurthyVivek Hallegere MurthySunday shows preview: Biden’s team braces for transition, Trump’s legal battles continue, and pandemic rages on Biden calls for “ urgent action ” from Trump amid COVID-outbreak 19 Biden’s public health advisers reject national ‘lockdown’ MORE and former Obama adviser, Dr Atul Gawande.

“In September, then-candidate Joe Biden warned America was heading for a very dark winter if the administration did not step up its action,” Klain said. “And you know, on the very first working day of his transition, Monday of this week, the president-elect met with his Covid task force and then made a public statement in which he called on all Americans to hide.

Host Chuck toddCampaign manager Charles (Chuck) David ToddBiden says he’s’ going to do good ‘on’ incredibly progressive ‘Romney agenda: Americans apparently want a change in leadership, but not a’ turnaround tight left ” on Sunday political broadcasts – Biden’s victory resonates MORE asked Klain if there had been any contact, formal or informal, between the White House Coronavirus Task Force and Biden’s transition team.

Klain said Biden’s team was currently unable to contact the White House task force.

“We can’t until we get this verification from the GSA which allows us to contact government officials. And so, we can’t have any of these types of contacts until we get to this verification stage. Obviously, there is information flowing in scientific circles. Members of our working group, such as Dr. [Michael] Osterholm, are leading scientists, ”Klain said.