Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Monday (Jan. 25) that President Biden‘s $1.9 trillion stimulus package “misses the mark,” noting that several Democratic senators have told him they do not support the measure.
“Pundits and economists from the left to the right agree that any further action should be smart and targeted, not just imprecisely allowing large amounts of borrowed money to go to those who don’t need it,” McConnell said at the meeting. achieve its goals, and media reports make it clear that this is not just a Republican viewpoint.”
The Kentucky Republican went on to say that “multiple Democratic senators agree” that the bill should not pass. He did not specify which Democratic lawmakers.
“Bipartisan action helped our country get over the hump last year. Bipartisan action helped us turn the tide. What will help us end this fight, however, will be smart bipartisan action.” He also said he would support Biden’s pick for Treasury secretary, Janet Yellen.
Earlier, lawmakers from both parties, including Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), told White House officials on Sunday that direct stimulus payments should only go to those who need them most.
According to “WVIR-TV,” Warner said, “If a Family of five, in fact, might have $300,000 in income, hasn’t lost a job, hasn’t experienced any financial hardship, and we say we’re going to give that family a check, but we’re going to give less help to the unemployed who are in desperate need, that doesn’t seem to me to be a very good idea. That doesn’t seem to me to be a very progressive outcome.”
Another Democrat who has publicly voiced opposition to the stimulus package is Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).
Referring to the $1,400 stimulus check in the bill, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) told Politico, “I’m the first one to ask the question, but there seems to be a lot of agreement that … these payments need to be more targeted.”
“I will say that I’m not sure how the administration came up with the $1.9 trillion package.” Susan Collins said.
However, Democratic senators’ opposition to the stimulus package runs counter to statements by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who said swift action is needed.
Also on Sunday, White House economic adviser Brian Deese said the administration will push Congress to pass the $1.9 trillion package, which he said is needed to avert an economic crisis triggered by the Communist Party virus (COVID-19).
“We can’t wait,” White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre also told Reuters on Sunday, “just because Washington was at an impasse before doesn’t mean it needs to stay at an impasse.”
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