Biden stimulus gets skeptical response from Republican moderates

[JonLP24]

President Biden’s proposed $1.9 trillion pandemic relief plan got a skeptical response from two Senate Republicans whose backing he would likely need for quick congressional passage.

GOP Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, a member of the bipartisan group of senators who helped propel talks on the $900 billion stimulus enacted last month, said shortly after Biden’s inauguration he thinks it’s too early for Congress to act again.

“We just passed a program with over $900 billion in it,” Romney told reporters. “I’m not looking for a new program in the immediate future.”

(Snip)

“The ink is just barely dry on the $900 billion, and what the president is proposing is significant — $1.9 trillion,” said Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican. “It’s going to require, I think, a fair amount of of debate and consideration.”

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/20/business/biden-stimulus-gets-skeptical-response-republican-moderates/?outputType=amp&__twitter_impression=true

[Midnight Writer]

1. Meanwhile thousands a day dying and millions losing income, can't touch the rich for taxes.

[James48]

2. That's ok-

It’s going to take at least a month or two to have discussions on exactly what such a stimulus would look like, what it would include, how it would be different from this last round. I’d rather have a well thought out plan, debated, with buy-in from a number of folks- than simply shoot it out in a week.

There is lots to do- let’s get cracking!

[OhNo-Really]

3. And that's why I call the ass clowns Republicants

[regnaD kciN]

10. And it's so highly predictable...

Recall that there were enough Republicans who wanted a higher stimulus when their boy was in power that it could easily have passed with Democrats and that handful of Republicans joining forces, but McYurtle would simply not bring it to the floor. Now that it can be brought to a vote, but with a Democrat in the White House, those same Repugs who wanted the higher amount then are balking at it now because...wait for it..."BUT TEH DEFICIT!!!" Yes, friends, it's time for the G.O.P. to demand the fiscal discipline they seem to forget all about when it's a president of their party who wants to spend their way to electoral popularity. As usual.

[Celerity]

4. Odds are high you will not see those 1400 USD cheques. Probably a reduced amount

that is targeted to go to far fewer people, if you see anything at all in terms of direct cheques. The $1.9 trillion overall is also more than likely dead in the water as well. Manchin, Sinema, Kelly, and/or Hickenlooper, etc. (in some form of combo) will put paid to any truly massive spend.

[RockRaven]

5. *this is my shocked face*

Who could have seen this coming?

[mvd]

6. If they are going to obstruct, then we'll have to go it alone

The $900 billion wasn’t near sufficient. Biden’s plan already has thought and I don’t see what could be subtracted except for making the $15 minimum wage in a future bill. We know their games. People need the money and the relief, and Manchin today softened even more. A good sign. There can be some debate, but the package must be sufficient.

I certainly think we’ll see the $1,400 - that is one of the most popular parts.

[regnaD kciN]

7. Paging Chairman Bernie...

...(Budget Committee Chairman, that is). If Republicants are going to go straight to obstruction, it's time for us to go straight to budget reconciliation!

[mvd]

8. I agree

We saw how much they rejected any decent relief before, so President Biden can try, but I am skeptical much will change. I think it is worth discussion with our more moderate Democrats on a higher amount reconciliation bill.

[regnaD kciN]

11. There's another tack we can use first, though...

Now that Mitchie isn't around to block bills from getting to the floor, introduce it anyway and demand the good old "up or down vote," and essentially dare Republicans in vulnerable seats to vote against sending much-wanted aid to their constituents. And, if they do, then use budget reconciliation.

[dansolo]

15. No, pay for it with the repeal of Trump's tax cuts

[Grokenstein]

9. Just another reminder that Trump was the symptom

and that the battle isn't over.

[BGBD]

12. They'll pass this legislation

It's a signature legislation that was the reason we took the Senate. It'll get passed if we have to use reconciliation.

Republicans would be smart to work with us on this if they'd like some input in what's in it.

[Buckeyeblue]

14. I agree. And it will be done fairly quickly I think.

Republicans are the party of let's wait and see when they are in the minority. They did that with ACCA. I remember them saying let's go slow. That's code for let's do nothing.

They should jump on board because it's a game changer for the economy.

[Squinch]

13. Oh well. Guess we'll just have to go around them.