Bipartisan group of senators to meet with Biden economic advisers

[Wicked Blue]

Washington Post
By Erica Werner

A bipartisan group of senators that helped break a stalemate and pass the last major coronavirus relief bill will be meeting in coming days with economic advisers to Biden.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.), who are leaders of the group now calling themselves the Common Sense Coalition, both publicly confirmed the planned meeting on Wednesday, following Biden’s inauguration. Manchin said the purpose would be to discuss coronavirus relief legislation. Biden has proposed a $1.9 trillion package, including a new round of direct checks, as well as money for schools, testing and vaccinations.

Passing the package is his top priority for Congress, but a number of Republicans are balking at the price tag. Biden could try to pass it with only Democratic votes, but his advisers are hoping for bipartisan backing on his first major bill. They have made overtures to several Republicans in the bipartisan group, which also includes Sens. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.).

Manchin said he hoped that Biden’s call for unity would resonate with senators of both parties. “I think deep down, everybody, Democrats and Republicans, feel that this is the right move at the right time,” Manchin said. “And it’ll take some a little bit longer than others but we’ll all come together.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/01/20/biden-inauguration-day-live-updates/#link-MASBMVMQPZHYHKHYAQUK2RHNQA

[DeminPennswoods]

1. A lot of the economic plans Biden

has will resonate with those economic populist sentiments of displaced, rural, poor and struggling voters who are legion in WVa.

Maybe it's a good idea to think what's good for WVa will be good for the rest of the country, too.