Ten Senate Republicans headed by Susan Collins
Susan Margaret Collins Biden rekindles immigration fight in Congress Paul says Roberts’ absence ‘crystallizes’ argument against Trump impeaching Democrats ready to bypass Republicans on COVID-19 emergency MORE Maine on Sunday proposed their own framework for a COVID-19 aid package in an apparent effort to avert allegations that the GOP is unwilling to collaborate with the Biden administration on pandemic relief.
In a letter issued by Collins’s office, including the senators Mitt Romney
Willard (Mitt) Mitt Romney Romney blows news of Trump call with Taylor Greene: ‘Lies of a feather flock together’ Marjorie Taylor Greene praises Trump amid growing backlash Leaving the GOP after 46 years and feeling ‘politically homeless’ MORE (R-Utah) and Bill Cassidy
Bill CassidySunday Shows Preview: New COVID-19 Variants Distributed in US; Redditors Shake Wall Street With Gamestop Stock OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Biden Signs Batch of Orders to Address Climate Change | Republicans press on Granholm about fossil fuels during confirmation hearing Republicans press on Granholm about fossil fuels during confirmation hearing MORE (R-La.), Urge President Biden to meet with them and discuss “how we can work together to meet the needs of the American people during this ongoing pandemic.”
“We recognize your call for unity and want to work in good faith with your administration to address the health, economic and societal challenges of the COVID crisis,” they wrote.
Their plan would include a new round of economic impact payments targeting “those families who need help the most,” including adult dependents, and expand federal unemployment benefits among other benefits.
“[W]We note that billions of dollars have not been spent on the previous COVID aid packages, ”the senators wrote.
“Last month, Congress provided an additional $ 900 billion in additional funding, and the communities are only now receiving much of that aid. Some of the spending allocated through the CARES Act, passed last March, has yet to be exhausted, “said GOP senators. . “The proposal we have outlined takes into account these past efforts, but also recognizes the priorities that need additional support at this point.”
Cassidy said on “Fox News Sunday” that the package from the GOP senators would total $ 600 billion and include direct payments of $ 1,000.
“We have received the letter and will review it during the day,” said the director of the National Economic Council Brian Deese
Brian DeeseSunday Show Preview: New COVID-19 Variants Distributed in US; Redditors Shake Wall Street With Gamestop Shares Georgia Senators Press Administration, Senate Dems Over Coronavirus Aid: White House Aids Report Push Back Idea To Split Aid Package MORE said Sunday morning on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
A $ 1.9 trillion plan proposed by the Biden administration would include a third round of direct stimulus payments to Americans, this time totaling $ 1,400, while also providing billions for other measures such as rent assistance, increases from SNAP benefits and other benefits.
Democrats including Sen. Bernie Sanders
Bernie Sanders Sunday Show Preview: New COVID-19 Variants Distributed in US; Redditors Shake Wall Street With Gamestop Stock Sanders Baseball Card Inauguration Meme Breaks Fauci Sales Record Bernie Sanders Hits Back At Billionaire Criticism: ‘Cry Me A River’ MORE (I-Vt.), The chair of the Senate Budgets Committee, warned Democrats would try to get the plan through the budget reconciliation process, which would require only 51 votes, if GOP senators don’t work with them on pandemic relief .
– Rema Rahman contributed to this report, which was updated at 9:26 am