Retiring GOP Senator Requires $ 50,000 Income Cap for Incentive Payments

Senator Ohio Rob PortmanRobert (Rob) Jones Portman on Sunday shows preview: new COVID-19 variants spread in the USA; Redditors shake up Wall Street with Gamestop shares The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – What path will Democrats take in connection with the COVID-19 bill? Democrats ready to bypass Republicans over COVID-19 bill MORE (R) said Sunday that Republicans will push the Biden administration to target direct payments to Americans making less than $ 50,000 a year in the upcoming COVID-19 incentive package.

Talking to Dana BashDana BashBiden’s bipartisan impulse hits the wall of the COVID-19 aid bill In CNN’s “State of the Union”, the outgoing senator urged Democrats not to promote the White House’s COVID-19 framework through Congress through the budget reconciliation process, which would allow a simple majority vote to pass and work with Republicans. in a smaller stimulus package.

“My hope is that the president will meet with us,” Portman said, adding that Republicans have had little success in their attempts to meet with the Biden administration to set priorities for the next stimulus package.

“No one has been consulted on this, including the Democrats in our bipartisan group that compiled the previous legislation, and honestly, we have not received a great response to date,” he added.

Bash then asked how many Republicans would be willing to spend on a COVID-19 stimulus package, noting that a letter published Sunday by Sen. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsBiden renews fight against immigration in Congress Paul says Roberts’ absence has “crystallized” the argument against Trump’s accusation Democrats ready to bypass Republicans over COVID-19 aid bill MOREThe Bureau (R-Maine) and signed by Portman did not put an exact dollar amount to the GOP proposal.

“It will be less than $ 1.9 [trillion] because much of what the administration has released has nothing to do with COVID-19, “Portman said.

“Let’s face it. We really want to help those who need it most, “he continued, adding that Democrats should not” poison the fountain “by pushing the plan without Republican votes.

“It is not in the Democratic Party’s interest to do so,” he said.

Democrats and Republicans in Congress met in December and promoted a smaller stimulus package that included an extension of federal unemployment benefits and $ 600 direct payments to individual American adults.