Republican Sen. Bill CassidyBill CassidySunday shows preview: Democrats’ struggle for voting rights bill comes to a head Hillicon Valley — Tech giants hit with Jan. 6 panel subpoenas Bipartisan lawmakers propose ‘TLDR Act’ to simplify terms of service agreements MORE (La.) knocked President BidenJoe BidenSunday shows preview: Democrats’ struggle for voting rights bill comes to a head David Weil: Wrong man, wrong place, wrong time Biden’s voting rights gamble prompts second-guessing MORE on Sunday for “spreading things” that he claimed were “untrue” in last week’s voting rights speech, suggesting the remarks will not help unite the country.
Asked during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” about Biden’s voting rights speech in Georgia, Cassidy said Biden made claims that were “misleading” and not helpful in the president’s quest to bring Americans together.
“Now if you’re trying to call the United States of America to unity, trying to get us to where we will come to common ground, you don’t end up spreading things that are untrue, are frankly lies, and that’s why people think we need to filibuster, otherwise you’re just totally rolled by somebody who’s willing to sacrifice truth to pursue their agenda,” Cassidy told co-anchor Jake TapperJacob (Jake) Paul TapperDurbin says Biden may have gone ‘a little too far’ in Georgia speech GOP governor says large businesses should not comply with ‘oppressive’ vaccine mandate Hutchinson says ‘big lie’ supporters ‘not demonstrating leadership’ MORE.
The Louisiana Republican also criticized House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.), who appeared on the program earlier and, when asked, did not say Biden’s remarks in Georgia went too far. Cassidy also accused Clyburn of making wrong or misleading statements in regard to election legislation.
Biden sparked criticism with his passionate remarks in which he called for changing the Senate filibuster to pass voting rights reform on the national level.
At one point, he asked if people wanted to be on the side of Dr. King, John LewisJohn LewisClyburn says he’s worried about losing House, ‘losing this democracy’ King family to march for voting rights in Arizona before MLK Day Sinema reignites 2024 primary chatter amid filibuster fight MORE and Abraham Lincoln or Confederate President George Wallace, segregationist Bull Connor and Jefferson Davis, who opposed the civil rights movement.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellSinema reignites 2024 primary chatter amid filibuster fight Biden’s new calls to action matter, as does the one yet to come Trump to make election claims center stage in Arizona MORE (R-Ky.) said the president’s remarks were “incoherent, incorrect and beneath his office,” and Senate Democratic Whip Dick DurbinDick DurbinSinema, Manchin curb Biden’s agenda Democrats’ filibuster gambit unravels Sinema scuttles hopes for filibuster reform MORE (Ill.) said Biden may have “gone a little too far” in his rhetoric.
Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiClyburn says he’s worried about losing House, ‘losing this democracy’ King family to march for voting rights in Arizona before MLK Day GOP’s McCarthy has little incentive to work with Jan. 6 panel MORE (D-Calif.), however, called Biden’s speech “wonderful” and “fabulous,” but did suggest that that his references to Connor was arcane.
The Senate is set to take up voting rights reform on Tuesday after Sens. Kyrsten SinemaKyrsten SinemaSunday shows preview: Democrats’ struggle for voting rights bill comes to a head Biden’s voting rights gamble prompts second-guessing King family to march for voting rights in Arizona before MLK Day MORE (D-Ariz.) and Joe ManchinJoe ManchinSunday shows preview: Democrats’ struggle for voting rights bill comes to a head Biden’s voting rights gamble prompts second-guessing King family to march for voting rights in Arizona before MLK Day MORE (D-Ariz.) said they will not change the 60-vote filibuster to pass such legislation. Democrats were looking to change Senate rules amid GOP opposition to election reform.
Fox News’s Bret Baier pressed Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) during a Sunday interview about GOP support for rising spending under former President TrumpDonald TrumpBill Maher says Cuomo can’t stay after scandal: He’s no ‘Donald Trump’ Former acting AG testifies before panel probing election interference GOP senator vows to slow-walk T infrastructure bill, sparking standoff MORE and the opposition of many Republicans to the bipartisan infrastructure bill over spending concerns.
Appearing on “Fox News Sunday,” Scott, who leads the Senate GOP’s campaign arm, lambasted the bill, which the Congressional Budget Office this week projected would add $256 billion to the deficit over the next decade.
He called for the Senate to proceed “responsibly” and argued that the bill ran up the national debt in an unreasonable manner.
Baier, the guest host this week on “Fox News Sunday,” pointed out that under the Trump administration, the national debt rose by $6.7 trillion and Republicans were largely silent.
Scott did not address the deficit under Trump, instead pointing to the work he did as governor of Florida to pay its budget deficit.
When Baier pressed him further on rising deficits under Trump, Scott said, “I’ve been up here two years, Bret. I am working my tail off. I’m fed up with a government that can’t live within their means. Every family in this country has got to figure out how to live within their means.”
Scott was elected to the Senate in 2018 — after a GOP House and Senate approved the Trump tax cut bill. Republicans lost control of the House in the 2018 election.
The Louisiana Republican Party moved swiftly to punish GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy for his vote to convict former President Donald Trump in his Senate trial for sparking the Capitol riot.
“The Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Louisiana has unanimously voted to censure Senator Bill Cassidy for his vote cast earlier today to convict former President Donald J. Trump on the impeachment charge,” the party said in a statement late Saturday.
Cassidy was one of seven Republican senators who broke ranks to vote with all Senate Democrats to convict Trump on the one impeachment charge of “incitement of an insurrection” for his role in the Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol that left five people dead.
The final vote was 57-43, far short of the 67 votes required to convict Trump in the chamber.
“Our Constitution and our country is more important than any one person,” Cassidy explained his vote in a statement Saturday. “I voted to convict President Trump because he is guilty.”
The executive committee’s vote against Cassidy was unanimous.
“We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the vote today by Sen. Cassidy to convict former President Trump,” the members said. “Fortunately, clearer heads prevailed and President Trump has been acquitted of the impeachment charge filed against him.”
Cassidy joined six Republican senators – Richard Burr of North Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitt Romney of Utah, Ben Sasse of Nebraska and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania – to convict.
Louisiana Senator Sen. Bill Cassidy (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
Louisiana’s other Republican senator, John Kennedy, voted to acquit.
“Impeachment is not supposed to be political sport where one party seeks advantage over the other at the expense of the country. The merits of the Democrats’ case were not even close,” he said.
Executive committee secretary Mike Bayham said retribution against Cassidy “couldn’t wait.”
”Many Republicans believe this was a betrayal and required immediate action,” he told the USA Today Network.
Cassidy won reelection to a six-year term in November.
Other Republicans in the House and Senate, including Sasse and Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, have been targeted by their state parties for criticism.
Cheney was among 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump on Jan. 13.
A group of GOP senators will meet with President Biden on Monday after pitching their own coronavirus relief framework.
“We appreciate the President’s quick response to our letter, and we are pleased to accept his invitation to the White House tomorrow afternoon to discuss the path forward for the sixth bipartisan Covid-19 relief package,” the GOP senators said in a joint statement.
The group includes GOP Sens. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsBiden reignites immigration fight in Congress Paul says Roberts’s absence ‘crystalized’ argument against Trump impeachment Democrats ready to bypass Republicans on COVID-19 relief bill MORE (Maine), Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann MurkowskiPaul says Roberts’s absence ‘crystalized’ argument against Trump impeachment How McConnell derailed Trump’s impeachment trial before it started Kaine eyes next week to file censure aiming to bar Trump from future office MORE (Alaska), Bill CassidyBill CassidySunday shows preview: New COVID-19 variants spread in US; Redditors shake Wall Street with Gamestop stock OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Biden signs series of orders to tackle climate change | Republicans press Granholm on fossil fuels during confirmation hearing Republicans press Granholm on fossil fuels during confirmation hearing MORE (La.), Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyRomney blasts news of Trump call with Taylor Greene: ‘Lies of a feather flock together’ Marjorie Taylor Greene touts Trump call amid growing backlash Leaving the GOP After 46 years and feeling ‘politically homeless’ MORE (Utah), Rob PortmanRobert (Rob) Jones PortmanSunday shows preview: New COVID-19 variants spread in US; Redditors shake Wall Street with Gamestop stock The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Which path will Democrats take on COVID-19 bill? Democrats ready to bypass Republicans on COVID-19 relief bill MORE (Ohio), Shelley Moore CapitoShelley Wellons Moore CapitoModerates vow to ‘be a force’ under Biden The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden’s crisis agenda hits headwinds Bipartisan Senate gang to talk with Biden aide on coronavirus relief MORE (W.Va.), Todd YoungTodd Christopher YoungSenate panel advances Buttigieg nomination in 21-3 vote Trump, allies raise pressure on Senate GOP ahead of impeachment Moderates vow to ‘be a force’ under Biden MORE (Ind), Jerry MoranGerald (Jerry) MoranSenate GOP boxes itself in on impeachment Moderates vow to ‘be a force’ under Biden The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden’s crisis agenda hits headwinds MORE (Kan.), Mike RoundsMike RoundsBipartisan group discussing Senate rules change Senate GOP signals it’s likely to acquit Trump for second time The Memo: Chances recede of GOP breaking with Trump MORE (S.D.) and Thom TillisThomas (Thom) Roland TillisSenate GOP signals it’s likely to acquit Trump for second time Senate committee advances Biden’s DHS pick despite Republican pushback Democrat Jeff Jackson jumps into North Carolina Senate race MORE (N.C.).
White House press secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiMenendez calls for sanction on Russia after Navalny protests Biden signs executive orders at furious pace Biden, Yellen call for swift action on coronavirus relief package MORE disclosed on Sunday night that Biden had spoken to Collins, who he previously served with in the Senate and who has taken the lead in trying to jumpstart bipartisan negotiations on the next round of coronavirus relief, and invited her and the other nine GOP senators to the White House.
The GOP senators outlined their own coronavirus framework earlier Sunday that Cassidy put around $600 billion — less than a third of the roughly $1.9 trillion plan offered by Biden.
The GOP proposal would include $1,000 checks, while Democrats are pushing for $1,400 checks. It also includes more money for vaccines, extends unemployment benefits and includes things like nutrition assistance, small business aid and money for schools and childcare.
The GOP letter comes as Democrats appear ready to move this week to set the stage for passing an eventual coronavirus relief bill through reconciliation, a budget process that will let them avoid a 60-vote legislative filibuster in the Senate.
The House will vote on the budget resolution this week that will include instructions for crafting the coronavirus bill, with the Senate hoping to follow quickly. Democrats are hoping to be able to pass the coronavirus relief bill by mid-March, when unemployment benefits are set to expire.
But Republicans have shown no signs of supporting a $1.9 trillion bill after Congress passed an additional $900 billion in coronavirus relief late last year—the fifth package that Congress has passed.
Instead, the GOP senators, in their letter, urged Biden to work with them on a proposal, which they predicted could get through Congress if he supports it.
“The proposal we have outlined is mindful of these past efforts, while also acknowledging the priorities that need additional support right now,” the GOP senators wrote.
“With your support, we believe Congress can once again craft a relief package that will provide meaningful, effective assistance to the American people and set us on a path to recovery,” they added.
Democrats have slim margins in both chambers, and progressives, who view $1.9 trillion as the minimum Congress should be spending, would likely balk at a substantially lower price tag.
In addition to speaking to Collins, Psaki said that Biden spoke with House Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiFBI: Woman arrested in Capitol riot allegedly said she wanted to shoot Pelosi ‘in the friggin’ brain’ Did Trump know what was about to happen Jan. 6? Marjorie Taylor Greene touts Trump call amid growing backlash MORE (D-Calif.) and Senate Democratic Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerProposal for permanent Capitol fencing sparks bipartisan pushback Immigration reform can’t wait Psaki expects DHS nominee Mayorkas to head task force to reunite separated families MORE (D-N.Y.) on Sunday.
“He is grateful that Congress is prepared to begin action on the American Rescue Plan in just his second full week in office,” she said.
Psaki also gave no indication that Biden was considering abandoning his $1.9 trillion proposal for a smaller plan.
“The American Rescue Plan … is badly needed. As leading economists have said, the danger now is not in doing too much: it is in doing too little,” she added.
The White House invite also comes as Schumer, speaking to reporters in New York, reiterated his warning that Democrats were willing to move forward without Republicans if they wouldn’t support a “bold” plan.
“We intend to move forward. We hope that we can move forward with a bipartisan way with our Republican colleagues cooperating. But we need big, bold action and if we can’t move forward with them, we’ll have to move forward on our own. Getting the job done in a big bold way is the number one priority,” he added.
Schumer also appeared cool to the GOP proposal, telling the New York Daily News that Republicans “should negotiate.”
“If the reports are true, it doesn’t have any state and local money in it. Look at that, just as one thing,” Schumer said.
West Virginia Sen. Joe ManchinJoseph (Joe) ManchinSunday shows preview: New COVID-19 variants spread in US; Redditors shake Wall Street with Gamestop stock Biden wants Democrats to keep Trump trial short Joe Manchin could show the Senate a better way forward MORE (D), a key swing vote in the Senate, expressed frustration on Friday about an interview Vice President Harris gave to a TV station in the state and said the White House had not notified him beforehand.
Speaking with NBC affiliate WSAZ, the centrist Democrat said the vice president’s interview was “not a way of working together” and called on the White House to help find a “bipartisan pathway forward.”
“I saw [the interview]. I couldn’t believe it. No one called me [about it],” Manchin said, according to WSAZ. “We’re going to try to find a bipartisan pathway forward, but we need to work together. That’s not a way of working together.”
Harris had given the interview to push for the White House’s coronavirus relief proposal.
“To your point, in West Virginia, 1 in 7 families is describing their household as being hungry, 1 in 6 can’t pay their rent, and 1 in 4 small businesses are closing permanently or have already closed, so it’s a big issue in West Virginia and across the country,” Harris told WSAZ. “That’s why the president and I are offering the American Rescue Plan.”
A request for further comment from Manchin’s office was not immediately returned. The White House also did not immediately return an email regarding the senator’s comments.
Manchin is seen as one of the most important votes in the divided Senate going into President Biden’s first 100 days in office. The West Virginia senator has expressed some reluctance about some of the provisions in the White House’s COVID-19 relief plan, seen as Biden’s first legislative push, including the $1,400 direct payments to Americans in the bill. He previously supported a bill in December that provided $600 payments to Americans making less than $75,000 per year.
Some Republican senators issued their own call Sunday for a bipartisan compromise bill that Sen. Bill CassidyBill CassidySunday shows preview: New COVID-19 variants spread in US; Redditors shake Wall Street with Gamestop stock OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Biden signs series of orders to tackle climate change | Republicans press Granholm on fossil fuels during confirmation hearing Republicans press Granholm on fossil fuels during confirmation hearing MORE (R-La.) indicated would likely total less than half of what Democrats have asked for.
