Senate Democrats say they have the votes needed to pass a $3.5 trillion budget resolution, which would green light a massive spending measure packed with President BidenJoe BidenBriahna Joy Gray: White House thinks extending student loan pause is a ‘bad look’ Biden to meet with 11 Democratic lawmakers on DACA: report Former New York state Senate candidate charged in riot MORE’s top legislative priorities.
In addition to the $1.2 trillion bipartisan deal currently being debated by the Senate, Democrats are expected to try to pass a $3.5 trillion bill along party lines through a budget process that lets them bypass a GOP filibuster.
In order to do that, they first need to pass a budget resolution that will include the top-line figure and instructions for crafting the Democratic-only bill, which will require total unity from all 50 members of the Democratic caucus.
Senate Majority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerBiden to meet with 11 Democratic lawmakers on DACA: report Schumer’s moment to transform transit and deepen democracy Pelosi, Schumer vow climate action: ‘It is an imperative’ MORE (D-N.Y.), speaking from the floor, said Democrats were “on track” to pass both before leaving for a weeks-long August break.
“In order to start work on a reconciliation bill, the Senate must pass a budget resolution first. And we are on track for that as well,” Schumer said.
Schumer’s update comes after the Senate, with the support of 17 GOP senators, agreed to take up a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure deal. Because the text of the agreement is still being finalized, the Senate is advancing a shell bill that they will swap the language into once it is finished.
Senators are warning that debate of the bipartisan deal could eat up a week or two of floor time, with Republicans pushing for a robust amendment process.
But after, or if, they pass the bipartisan bill, Democrats are expected to turn to the budget resolution. Schumer said they have the 50 votes needed to avoid a filibuster.
“I’m proud of my Democratic caucus, every one of them voting yesterday for this [bipartisan] bill and all pledging to go forward on the second track as well,” Schumer said referring to the budget resolution.
Schumer, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie SandersBernie SandersBriahna Joy Gray: White House thinks extending student loan pause is a ‘bad look’ Lawmakers can’t reconcile weakening the SALT cap with progressive goals Human rights can’t be a sacrificial lamb for climate action MORE (I-Vt.) and Budget Committee Democrats announced earlier this month that they had agreed to a $3.5 trillion price tag for the budget resolution and subsequent spending package.
Sanders told reporters that he expects to have 50 votes from the Democratic caucus for the budget resolution, which he predicted to come to the floor next week.
“As I understand it, next week we’re going to have 50 votes in order to pass a 3 1/2 trillion dollar budget resolution,” he said.
A key group of moderate senators hasn’t committed to supporting the massive spending package itself, which will include top party priorities including immigration reform, expanding Medicare and combating climate change. The Senate isn’t expected to vote on that bill until at least September, and Democrats have warned it could slip beyond that.
But they are signaling they will vote to take up the budget resolution to get the process started.
Sen. Jon TesterJonathan (Jon) TesterSenate votes to take up infrastructure deal GOP, Democrats battle over masks in House, Senate Sinema says she opposes .5T price tag for spending bill MORE (D-Mont.) has said he will vote to start debate. Sen. Joe ManchinJoe ManchinSenate votes to take up infrastructure deal GOP, Democrats battle over masks in House, Senate Sinema says she opposes .5T price tag for spending bill MORE (D-W.Va.) told reporters on Wednesday that he supported moving forward with the budget resolution and described himself as open to the details.
“I’m looking. I’m not saying whether I can or I can’t,” he said.
And while Sen. Kyrsten SinemaKyrsten SinemaOcasio-Cortez, Bush criticize lack of diversity among negotiators on latest infrastructure deal Fetterman slams Sinema over infrastructure: ‘Democrats need to vote like Democrats’ Senate votes to take up infrastructure deal MORE (D-Ariz.) said Wednesday that she doesn’t support a $3.5 trillion price tag on the eventual bill, she added that she has “made clear that … I will support beginning this process.”
The Senate voted along party lines Saturday morning to reject an amendment sponsored by Sen. Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzDeSantis, Pence tied in 2024 Republican poll Democrats under pressure to deliver on labor’s ‘litmus test’ bill Crenshaw pours cold water on 2024 White House bid: ‘Something will emerge’ MORE (R-Texas), a potential 2024 White House candidate, to block $1,400 stimulus checks from going to undocumented immigrants.
The amendment failed by a vote of 49 to 50, with a slim majority of the Senate voting against it.
Eight Democrats had voted for a similar amendment sponsored by Sens. Todd YoungTodd Christopher YoungOvernight Defense: White House open to reforming war powers | Army base might house migrant children | Fauci scolds military on vaccine White House open to reforming war powers amid bipartisan push Senators introduce bill creating technology partnerships to compete with China MORE (R-Ind.) and Tom CottonTom Bryant CottonDeSantis, Pence tied in 2024 Republican poll Republicans blast Pentagon policy nominee over tweets, Iran nuclear deal The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Lawmakers face Capitol threat as senators line up votes for relief bill MORE (R-Ark.), another White House hopeful, early last month during a debate on the Senate budget resolution. However, the Democratic caucus stayed unified on Saturday in defeating the Republican amendment.
All Republicans voted for it.
“This amendment before us today provides that the stimulus checks should not go to illegal aliens in this country,” Cruz said while introducing the amendment. “The question for the American people to answer is, should your money, should taxpayer money, be sent, $1,400, to every illegal alien in America?”
Senate Majority Whip Dick DurbinDick DurbinDemocrats break COVID-19 impasse with deal on jobless benefits COVID-19 relief debate stalls in Senate amid Democratic drama Democrats close in on deal to provide tax relief for unemployment recipients MORE (D-Ill.) slammed the measure while accusing Cruz of exaggerating the flow of stimulus payments to undocumented immigrants. He pointed out that the pending $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill treats payments to families with undocumented immigrant members the same way as the $900 billion relief bill passed by the GOP-controlled Senate in December and signed into law by former President TrumpDonald TrumpTrump announces new tranche of endorsements DeSantis, Pence tied in 2024 Republican poll Lawmakers demand changes after National Guard troops at Capitol sickened from tainted food MORE.
“The statement of the senator from Texas is just plain false. False! Let me be clear: Undocumented immigrants do not have Social Security numbers, and they do not qualify for stimulus relief checks,” he said.
Durbin accused Cruz and other Republicans of trying to collect political ammo for the campaign trail.
“They want to be able to give speeches that say the checks go to undocumented people,” he said, accusing Cruz of trying to “rile people up over something that is not true.”
Eight Democrats voted for a similar effort sponsored by Young and Cotton to establish a reserve fund to bar illegal immigrants from receiving economic impact payments or other direct temporary assistance.
They were Sens. Maggie HassanMargaret (Maggie) HassanThe eight Democrats who voted ‘no’ on minimum wage Justice Democrats call moderates’ votes against minimum wage hike ‘unconscionable’ Senate rejects Sanders minimum wage hike MORE (D-N.H.), John HickenlooperJohn HickenlooperThe Hill’s 12:30 Report – Presented by ExxonMobil – Third approved vaccine distributed to Americans Democrats hesitant to raise taxes amid pandemic The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Trump’s second impeachment trial begins MORE (D-Colo.), Mark KellyMark KellyThe eight Democrats who voted ‘no’ on minimum wage Democratic centrists flex power on Biden legislation GOP targets Manchin, Sinema, Kelly on Becerra MORE (D-Ariz.), Joe ManchinJoseph (Joe) ManchinSenate Democrats vote to provide 0 unemployment benefits into September Senate GOP gets short-lived win on unemployment fight McConnell makes failed bid to adjourn Senate after hours-long delay MORE (D-W.Va.), Gary PetersGary PetersDemocratic centrists flex power on Biden legislation Alarming threat prompts early exit, underscoring security fears Five takeaways from dramatic Capitol security hearing MORE (D-Mich.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Debbie StabenowDeborah (Debbie) Ann StabenowDemocratic centrists flex power on Biden legislation Democrats cut deals to bolster support for relief bill Senate Democrats offer fresh support for embattled Tanden MORE (D-Mich.) and Jon TesterJonathan (Jon) TesterDemocrats break COVID-19 impasse with deal on jobless benefits The eight Democrats who voted ‘no’ on minimum wage COVID-19 relief debate stalls in Senate amid Democratic drama MORE (D-Mont.).
The amendment to the Senate budget resolution was later stripped out by a substitute amendment offered by Senate Majority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerLawmakers demand changes after National Guard troops at Capitol sickened from tainted food Ron Johnson forces reading of 628-page Senate coronavirus relief bill on floor Senate panel splits along party lines on Becerra MORE (D-N.Y.).
President Biden and a group of 10 GOP senators agreed on Monday to hold additional negotiations on coronavirus relief, as they look to find room to craft a bipartisan agreement.
The group of Republicans met with Biden at the White House on Monday for roughly two hours, significantly longer than either side had expected the meeting would last. Both sides characterized the meeting as productive, though the White House indicated that Biden would not back down from his demand for a robust package despite opposition from Republicans.
Sen. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsBiden meeting with GOP senators Monday on coronavirus relief Biden invites GOP senators to White House for relief talks The president has changed, but Washington hasn’t MORE (R-Maine), who has taken the lead on trying to negotiate a deal, called the meeting “very productive” and “cordial.”
“It was a very good exchange of views. I wouldn’t say that we came together on a package tonight, no one expected that in a two hour meeting. But what we did agree to do was follow up and talk further at the staff level and amongst ourselves and with the president and vice president on how we can continue to work together on this very important issue,” Collins said outside of the White House on Monday night.
The White House in a statement called the meeting “productive” and “substantive” but added that Biden “reiterated that while he is hopeful that the Rescue Plan can pass with bipartisan support, a reconciliation package is a path to achieve that end.” The White House also made clear that Biden believes the $618 billion proposal unveiled by the GOP senators falls short.
“While there were areas of agreement, the President also reiterated his view that Congress must respond boldly and urgently, and noted many areas which the Republican senators’ proposal does not address,” White House press secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiBiden meeting with GOP senators Monday on coronavirus relief Biden invites GOP senators to White House for relief talks Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi detained in early morning raid as military takes over country MORE said. “The President also made clear that the American Rescue Plan was carefully designed to meet the stakes of this moment, and any changes in it cannot leave the nation short of its pressing needs.”
The meeting marked Biden’s first visit he’s had with lawmakers in the Oval Office, a fact Collins touted to reporters.
“[It] was an excellent meeting, and we’re very appreciative that as his first official meeting in the Oval Office the president chose to spend so much time with us in a frank and very useful discussion,” she said.
The GOP group used the sit-down meeting to explain their $618 billion coronavirus proposal to Biden, Vice President Harris and top aides. The White House also provided more details on its $1.9 trillion package after senators in both parties pushed for more details on how the administration came up with its proposal.
Collins — the only GOP senator to speak after the meeting — didn’t address a decision by Democratic leadership to lay the groundwork this week for passing a coronavirus bill by a simple majority, allowing them to bypass GOP support if they need to.
Instead, she noted Congress has previously been able to negotiate bipartisan coronavirus relief bills. Many of the senators were part of the so-called 908 coalition that proposed a framework late last year that leadership credited with breaking a months-long stalemate.
“We have demonstrated in the last year that we can come together on a bipartisan package. … I am hopeful that we can once again pass a sixth bipartisan COVID relief package,” Collins said.
But there are big differences between the package offered by the GOP group and the larger $1.9 trillion one backed by Democrats. While Biden would prefer to sign a bill with GOP support, the White House made clear Monday that he would support Democrats passing the bill through reconciliation with a simple majority.
The GOP proposal includes $160 billion in pandemic response funding including protective equipment and more money for vaccine distribution. It also extends the $300 per week federal unemployment benefit through June 30.
The bill includes a $1,000 direct payment to Americans, compared with the $1,400 direct payment in Biden’s plans, with $500 for adult dependents and children. The proposal also lowers the income cap for qualifying for the direct assistance.
Under previous coronavirus bills, individuals who make up to $75,000 would receive the check, with the amount of the payment phasing out after that. But under the GOP proposal, individuals who make up to $40,000 would get a $1,000 check, with the amount of the check phasing out altogether at $50,000.
It also includes $20 billion in additional funding for schools, $20 billion in child care funding, an additional $50 billion in small business aid, $12 billion for nutrition assistance and $4 billion for behavioral health resources.
But incoming Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron WydenRonald (Ron) Lee WydenHillicon Valley: Fallout from Reddit-driven stock rallies, GameStop purchase ban continues | Lawmakers grill NSA on years-old breach in the wake of massive Russian hack | Facebook reportedly considering antitrust lawsuit against Apple Lawmakers grill NSA on years-old breach in the wake of massive Russian hack Lawmakers offer bill to repeal cap on SALT deduction MORE (D-Ore.) warned that the GOP offer didn’t go far enough, previewing the backlash Biden is likely to face if he agrees to go substantially lower.
“The package outlined by 10 Senate Republicans is far too small to provide the relief the American people need. In particular, a three-month extension of jobless benefits is a non-starter. … We can’t keep jumping from cliff to cliff every few months,” Wyden said in a statement, adding that an “extension of benefits for at least six months is essential.”
Democratic Sen. Jon TesterJonathan (Jon) TesterIndigenous groups mount campaign against ABC’s ‘Big Sky’ VA secretary nominee sails through confirmation hearing To protect our parks, hit pause on leasing MORE (Mont.), one of the caucus’s more moderate members, also warned that he didn’t think the GOP plan was big enough.
“I think it’s got to be bigger than that. … If we have to come back time and time and time again, I just don’t think that’s good for the economy, I don’t think it’s good for certainty,” Tester said.
The meeting comes hours after Senate Majority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerCongressional Democrats are on the wrong side of impeachment politics Proposal for permanent Capitol fencing sparks bipartisan pushback Immigration reform can’t wait MORE (D-N.Y.) and Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiBiden meeting with GOP senators Monday on coronavirus relief Portman says Republican leadership ‘ought to stand up’ against Greene’s comments Congressional Democrats are on the wrong side of impeachment politics MORE (D-Calif.) filed a budget resolution that will include instructions to craft a $1.9 trillion bill that Democrats could pass under reconciliation, which allows them to avoid a 60-vote legislative filibuster.
“Democrats welcome the ideas and input of our Senate Republican colleagues. The only thing we cannot accept is a package that is too small or too narrow to pull our country out of this emergency. We cannot repeat the mistake of 2009,” Schumer said from the Senate floor.
