President Biden told House Democrats on Wednesday that he would not agree to scale back the $1,400 direct payments to many Americans that are a centerpiece of his $1.9 trillion stimulus package, but would consider restricting them to lower-income individuals as Republicans have proposed.
We cant walk away from an additional $1,400 in direct checks, because people need it, Mr. Biden told the lawmakers on a private conference call, according to two people who participated. Im not going to start my administration by breaking a promise to people.
But he added: We can better target the number Im OK with that.
Mr. Bidens comments came as Democrats pressed forward with their budget resolution in Congress, laying the groundwork to use a procedural maneuver that could eventually allow them to push through the presidents sweeping pandemic aid plan without Republican support. It was part of a two-track strategy that Mr. Biden and Democratic leaders were employing to speed through the relief package: show Republicans that they have the votes to pass an ambitious package with only Democratic backing, but offer to negotiate some details in hopes of gaining Republican support.
We need to act fast, Mr. Biden told the Democratic lawmakers, according to the people, who detailed the private conversation on condition of anonymity. Its about who the hell we are as a country.
Some Republicans have argued that the next round of stimulus checks should go to Americans most in need. Under Mr. Bidens plan, the full $1,400 payment would be limited to individuals earning no more than $75,000 a year, but those with higher incomes would receive smaller checks.
The presidents signal that he was open to compromise on the matter came a couple of days after he met at the White House with 10 Republican senators who are seeking a $618 billion package they said could win bipartisan backing. Their proposal calls for checks of up to $1,000 that would go only to individuals earning less than $50,000 a year, with the full payment limited to those whose annual income was $40,000 or below.
Later, Mr. Biden met separately at the White House with Senate Democrats and again discussed narrowing eligibility for the checks.
We did have a conversation about the direct payments and how those might be modified in a way to ensure theyre targeted, said Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, who attended the hourlong session.
On the call with House Democrats, Mr. Biden said he was not married to a particular, absolute number on the overall stimulus package.
We can make compromises on several of the programs, he told them, adding, we have to take care of the people who are hurting.