Ten Republican senators in the U.S. Congress have proposed an Epidemic bailout package totaling about $600 billion, intended as an alternative to the $1.9 trillion bailout plan proposed by Biden. The senators sent a letter to Biden on Sunday (Jan. 31) asking for his support to pass the bill.
Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Tenn.) said Sunday that their proposed bailout plan includes targeted direct payments to American families in need, Fox News reported.
Biden unveiled his $1.9 trillion epidemic relief plan in early January. But some Republican lawmakers believe the figure is too large. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) warned Biden not to use the epidemic to push a “big government takeover of the U.S. economy” agenda. He said Congress has passed $4 trillion in epidemic relief so far, and that it would be “reckless” to spend nearly $2 trillion more. He said, “While people need more epidemic relief, some of these programs are the political Dreams of progressives.”
In addition to Sen. Cassidy, the nine other Republican senators who co-sponsored the $600 billion bailout include Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Mitt Romney, Rob Portman, Shirley Shelley Moore Capito, Todd Young, Jerry Moran, Mike Rounds and Thom Tillis.
In a letter sent to Biden on Sunday, the Republican lawmakers provided some information about the $600 billion bailout package, which includes $160 billion for public health (vaccines, personal protective equipment, support for health care providers) and $20 billion for schools.
They requested a meeting with Biden to discuss their proposal in more detail and how they could work together.
Brian Deese, director of the White House National Economic Council, told CNN that the White House received the letter from the 10 senators.
“We’ve received the letter and we’ll certainly look at it that day.” Deese said.
Deese also said the terms of President Biden’s proposed $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan were based on the economic crisis facing the United States.
Biden has said he is open to finding a compromise to pass a portion of the $1.9 trillion package if Republicans reject his proposed bailout. Biden’s package includes $1,400 in direct payments to Americans, unemployment benefits and funding for local and state governments.
“Our proposal also includes economic relief for those Americans most in need, providing more targeted assistance than the (Biden) administration’s program,” the 10 senators wrote. “We are proposing a new round of economic impact payments for those families most in need of assistance, including the children and adults they need to support.”
In addition, the lawmakers’ plan includes extending federal unemployment benefits and funding Biden’s proposed increase in nutrition assistance for struggling families.
The senators said they will release more details on Monday (Feb. 1) in response to the proposed epidemic relief package.
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