Continual fight for stimulus progress

WASHINGTON — With former President Trump’s impeachment trial now behind us, the Biden administration wants Congress to shift focus to passing his coronavirus relief plan.

But there is still pushback from Republicans who say his plan is too costly. Lawmakers are now working on the language of the bill.

Nationwide polls show the majority of Americans support President Biden’s plan  — including many Republicans. But it’s the Republicans in Congress who strongly oppose it and instead are pushing for a slimmed-down version.

Democrats in the House of Representatives are drafting coronavirus relief legislation. Last week a panel passed a key measure to get the bill closer to a full House vote.

“We are still working every day to see if we can earn Republican support for the plan. What we won’t do is slow down and not meet the needs of the American people by waiting,” Cedric Richmond, senior advisor to President Biden, said.

The president’s $1.9 trillion rescue plan includes $1400 direct stimulus checks.

A major sticking point has been the billions allocated for state and local governments. Republicans in Congress say it’s too costly.

“Democrats and the White House continue to demand trillions — that’s right, trillions — in overbroad spending,” Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) said.

But some Republicans at the local level say cities and states are in desperate need of more funding. The president held a bipartisan meeting with mayors and governors at the White House last week. The mayor of Miami — a Republican — was part of those talks.

“We had a reflective conversation back and forth, and I think he’s gonna use our input to make the bill better and to hopefully get it passed for the benefit of the American people,” Mayor Francis Suarez said.

The Biden administration has said it will move ahead with the plan with or without Republican support.

“They want to make sure we stop chasing this pandemic and we get in front of it,” Richmond said.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said she wants the relief bill passed in the House by the end of the month and on the president’s desk for a signature before March 14, when some unemployment benefits are set to expire.

House committee approves $1,400 payment as stimulus bill moves toward House vote (NCD)

Cox Media Group