The White House is trying a different tack as it faces criticism over muscling its $1.9 trillion coronavirus spending package through Congress, with President Biden and aides trying to shift the onus for its contents to Republicans.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden was not “offering a negotiation” when he asked critics on Monday what they would cut from the proposal, which is already being considered by the House Budget Committee.
“He was making the point that the key components of this bill are addressing the crisis we’re facing,” Psaki told reporters. “The point he’s making is that the size of the package is a reflection of the size of the crisis.”
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The House is expected to vote on the legislative pitch later this week before it’s deliberated by the Senate under the fast-track budget process known as reconciliation. That procedure allows for measures to clear the chamber with only 51 votes. The Senate parliamentarian, a nonpartisan official, is also anticipated to decide this week whether a House provision for an increase of the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 an hour by 2025 can be included in the final version.
Biden made the remarks earlier Monday when announcing changes to federal loans being offered to small businesses that are struggling to retain their employees during the pandemic. The Small Business Administration is in its third round of COVID-19 lending, but for two weeks starting Wednesday, only businesses with fewer than 20 employees can apply for the Paycheck Protection Program Biden rolled out Monday. Larger enterprises will be eligible again after March 9.
Biden has been scrutinized over how he’s dealt with Senate Republicans after initially insisting he wanted a bipartisan coronavirus spending bill. A group of more centrist Republicans counteroffered a $600 billion proposal last month, which Psaki dismissed again on Monday as falling “far, far short of what is needed.”
“Critics say the plan is too big. Let me ask a rhetorical question: What would you have me cut? What would you leave out?” Biden said shortly before Psaki started her briefing. “Should we not invest $20 billion to vaccinate the nation? Should we not invest $290 million to extend unemployment insurance?”
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On a day focused on the public health crisis that coincides with a broader communications strategy designed to build momentum behind the measure, the president, first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and second gentleman Doug Emhoff are scheduled to lead a moment of silence Monday evening to mark 500,000 deaths due to the virus.
Psaki also announced Monday that Biden was ordering the lowering of flags on all federal properties to half-staff for five days in honor of those who have died because of COVID-19.
