10 Senate Republicans seek meeting with Biden on Covid relief

[DonViejo]

Source: Politico



They are hoping for a bipartisan compromise.

By BURGESS EVERETT

01/31/2021 08:00 AM EST

Updated: 01/31/2021 08:14 AM EST

A group of Senate Republicans is requesting a meeting with President Joe Biden to begin bipartisan negotiations on the next coronavirus relief bill, even as Democratic leaders are prepared this week to go down a path that could pass a new $1.9 trillion coronavirus aid package with all Democratic votes.

In a letter to Biden sent on Sunday, 10 Senate Republicans informed the president that they are working on a counterproposal focusing on spending $160 billion on vaccines, testing, treatment and personal protective equipment. Led by Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), the senators said that if Biden signs off on their framework, “we believe that this plan could be approved quickly by Congress with bipartisan support.”

“In the spirit of bipartisanship and unity, we have developed a COVID-19 relief framework that builds on prior COVID assistance laws, all of which passed with bipartisan support,” the senators wrote to Biden. “We request the opportunity to meet with you to discuss our proposal in greater detail and how we can work together to meet the needs of the American people during this persistent pandemic.”

The letter is a clear attempt to head off Democratic efforts to pursue budget reconciliation as the pathway to the next round of coronavirus aid. This week, Democrats in both chambers are planning to pass budget resolutions allowing the party to approve Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus plan without GOP votes.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/31/biden-senate-republicans-covid-relief-464057

[Walleye]

1. We don't need any stinking bipartisanship!

[area51]

4. +1

We had a taste of their "bipartisanship" during Obama's 8 years.

[Walleye]

5. Why would we negotiate when we know how they lie and go back on their promises? Fuck them!

Just put up our bill on reconciliation and let these Republicans explain to their constituents why they voted against giving them some of their own money to get them through this. The goddamn Republican congressman act like it’s their personal money.

[usaf-vet]

13. Well....! it would be theirs in the next repug "tax relief" trickle down make the 1% richer bill.

If we don't give it to all Americans in need.

[Johnny2X2X]

37. Here's why

If you can get say a $1.6 Trillion bill passes with 60 votes you then save your reconciliation for something else.

You can only pass bills via reconciliation 3 times a year, really once. Get something acceptable and bipartisan and then you can pass student debt reform or expansion of Obamacare via reconciliation.

I don’t think the Reps will agree with something acceptable though so this is all for show.

[Hortensis]

38. THIS. One revenue bill, 1 spending bill, 1 debt limit bill. Plus,

there are other tricks to it so that second and third reconciliation bills may not be possible.

[FM123]

46. Yep!

There are always tricks up their sleeves. They are trying to get us to waste ammo so when we really need to do battle, we have exhausted our reserve.

[Walleye]

40. It makes sense, but only if Republicans negotiate in good faith,which they don't

I’m not against compromise, at this point. I just don’t trust them to do anything they say they’re going to do. If they want to work with us they can start by calling us the Democratic Party. I remember the keg party they had at the White House when they first passed the Obamacare repeal in the House. I never heard the words unity or bipartisan from them at that time.Maybe they will prove me wrong, but I doubt it.

[niyad]

63. So, you don't think that a massive coronavirus relief bill is important enough for a reconciliation

vote?? Am I missing something?

[Johnny2X2X]

64. I do think it is

But if we get an acceptable one, say $1.6 Trillion through a normal vote, we can then get something else big like expanding Obamacare or student loan reform through reconciliation.

It’s a moot point as the Reps presented their plan and it’s a joke, so the relief bill will be what we use reconciliation for this year.

[paleotn]

11. Bingo! +1000

[PersianStar]

55. WHO won the election ?!

Same repug trash McConnell tried to push before the election !!

[secondwind]

2. How does their puny offer help folks in immediate need of help

to buy food, pay their rent etc? I don’t get it.

[ananda]

3. It doesn't. Biden should just say no to that pos bill.

...

[paleotn]

10. They simply don't care.

They don't. Not one single bit. None. Zip. Nada. Collins and the rest don't give a shit about anyone but themselves. Period. Never have. Why any sane person would think these people can or even want to govern in a way that's best for most Americans is beyond me. We didn't give Susie Collins large amounts of dark money. She doesn't give two shits if we die, starving in the gutter.

[Dave in VA]

6. And Lucy sets up her football once again!

This is how they will attempt to delay any relief from helping the dems politically. How many times will we continue to fall for this shit?

ENOUGH!

[Turin_C3PO]

15. It doesn't say Dems agreed to it.

Hold off on the criticism until we actually know what’s in the final bill.

[CTyankee]

18. How could you believe me when I said I love you when you know I've been a liar all my life?

[thucythucy]

19. This is perfect!

What a great find!

I've never heard this before, so to the Google I go.

Thank you for posting.

[niyad]

65. Google the Fred Astaire/Jane Powell version of this number. I would post it, but this machine

will not let me link.

This is from the movie "Royal Wedding", which also featured to dancing on the ceiling number.

[niyad]

66. Have you ever seen the Astaire/Powell dance number to this in "Royal Wedding"?

[quaker bill]

7. 160 Billion

is not a serious attempt.

[paleotn]

9. Of course not. They're Republicans.

They've not been serious about anything other than fucking average Americans since Ike.

[Massacure]

36. The total number is $600 billion, not $160.

Per the article, it includes $160 billion for vaccination efforts and PPE; the rest of it is to "extend unemployment benefits that expire in March, match Biden’s request for nutrition assistance and send a new round of payments to “those families who need assistance the most, including their dependent children and adults.” It will also address child care, small business aid and school funding."

The article also indicates Republicans are saying there is unspent money from previous COVID bills, but doesn't state for what.

[regnaD kciN]

77. Fine. $600 billion isn't anywhere near enough, either...

Start with $1 trillion as the absolute minimum for their "bipartisan" counter-proposal or it's not even worth listening to...then negotiate upwards from there.

[quaker bill]

80. yes, i have read into it now

Not enough and I see no mention of funding to state and local gov't. There have already been layoffs and more will come without it. Red states, blue states, it does not matter, they are all short on revenue due to the uncontrolled pandemic. This funding needs to be in there to keep the economy from getting a lot worse.

[paleotn]

8. Umm, no.

Sorry, Susie. Your party is dead. Go found another, SANE one and maybe we'll talk. Or maybe we won't. Dems are getting America out of this quagmire your party got us into and you are not taking any credit, no matter how obliquely.

[bucolic_frolic]

12. $160 Billion is throwing a thimble of water on a house fire.

Suzie is trying to remain relevant.

[usaf-vet]

14. Well...! Of course she is very very concerned.

[AC_Mem]

16. So just in time

...we will begin to hear them whine.. oooooohhhhh but the deficit!!!

This counteroffer is, as expected, an insult and in no way does it show their "spirit of bipartisanship".

We've had 4 MISERABLE YEARS of their BS - it's time to get things done. Every. Single. Time. they get political power they completely f_ck up our country, our economy, our healthcare, our environment and then hand over their toddler tantrum MESS and begin to rag on us to clean it up faster without spending money (because they gave it all to the RICH!!!)

Shoot - i can feel my blood pressure rising. They truly make me sick. While we have the power of the majority (and we better learn our lessons, grown a freaking backbone and grow our majority) we need to get things passed that will help turn this ship around and put it back on the right course. President Biden knows how to do this - hell, he already did it once before!

Pass OUR bill - and if the GOP wants to do the right things for suffering Americans they will join us. Their vote will show their true intent.

Annette
fed up and ready to get America the Beautiful BACK!!!

[bucolic_frolic]

17. Biden should throw it back at them - where was their concern with Trump tax cuts?

Call this game for what it is, early and often.

[ancianita]

29. And hold a press conference on their cheaping out on Americans so this gets headlines.

[aaaaaa5a]

20. I told myself when Dems took power, I would begin these topics with one simple question....

What would McConnell do?





That should be the answer to these 10 GOP Senators.

[Faux pas]

21. They

think we forgot that the budget they passed before only benefitted the rich and greedy. EFF THEM.

[quaint]

22. They think 10 Republicans equals bipartisanship.

[Jon King]

23. Its a worthless package...

Stop already with this bipartisan stuff. If Dems go along at anything less than the 1.9 trillion they will lose in 2022 and 2024.

They can not let the Repubs steal the message. This $500-600 billion package is not nearly enough. Biden and Dems have to go big and bold.

[irisblue]

24. The 10 Senators...

In addition to Collins and Cassidy, the letter was signed by GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitt Romney of Utah, Rob Portman of Ohio, Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, Todd Young of Indiana, Jerry Moran of Kansas, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Mike Rounds of South Dakota.

[iluvtennis]

25. This is a stall tactic. Dems need to proceed with Joe's American Recovery Plan as it. The people

need help now, not 6 months from now.

[kansasobama]

26. Biden should talk to the 10 senators

I disagree we throw this out. Reason is simple: Democrats have 4-5 major agenda issues that needs to be addressed (by 2022 if we want to retain the House where voting for us was not good). Rachel Maddow listed 4 items and I am adding one of my own "better policing" (I borrowed this from Friedman). Maddow said Dems could use two reconciliation bills this year to pass two of the four agendas. That leaves 3 more items that somehow has to overcome Manchin and the GOP filibuster.

If we can get COVID relief out of reconciliation, that would help to get to two more, leaving 2 behind. I think they can get "better policing" without filibuster. "Build back better-Infrastructure" could overcome filibuster. Climate change related bills and immigration would be a battle. It all depends on the Collins-Murkowski-Manchin coalition. Don't misunderstand. I hate this Manchin game. I am just thinking about 2022. We have to hold the House and get one more Senator in in 2022. Otherwise, our agenda is dead early! We need to go slow and careful now and get greedy later!

Of course, if the 10 Senators are talking about relief 6 months from now, forget it!

[BlueIdaho]

27. Set a date certain for passing legislation

If republicans want a voice, that’s fine. But the train is leaving the station with or without them.

[Jon King]

30. I totally disagree...

Going careful early is a sure fire way to lose it all. Biden and Dems have to go big and bold and do it with reconciliation if needed. Pass the 2 things they can and then mount a massive PR campaign to try and get Repubs to go along with other legislation. Its a gamble that must be taken or its all over anyway.

The Dems will definitely lose the House in 2022 if they do anything but go big and bold and loud. Many Dems will simply sit it out. The young and progressive are impatient. They have the momentum now, go for it all.

Americans are scarred and want change now. Give them as much as possible as soon as possible and let 2022 fall where it may. My bet is big and bold early holds the House in 2022. Just run ads tying all Repubs to Taylor Green and Qanon.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

43. Didn't we play this game with Obama's economic rescue and the ACA?

The Repugs dragged out the process and got Obama to make concession after concession, even though he had clear majorities in both houses. Then, once they'd totally f*cked both acts, not a single Repug voted in favor.

That's their idea of bipartisanship. Biden is ready to go right now to solve real problems with real solutions. And he's willing to blow them off, if that's what it takes. He has a mandate to get the job done. Their only goal is "to make him a one-term president," to use Moscow Mitch's statement on Obama's inauguration day.

[quaint]

79. ↑ this

[WichitaTim]

50. Politics are not important right now...

Politicking for a run in 2022 is moot when people are dying right and left, being laid off, losing their homes and children are not going to school and small businesses are closing by the thousands daily. To hell with politics and the future for right now. We need to do exactly what is right and decent and moral and ethical for the hurting people right this minute and not a month or two months down the road. By that time a half a million people will be dead and our "Real Working America, Not Wall Street" economy will look like a real third world country. To hell with politics for right now-Feeding, housing, protecting from CV-19, employing and saving the nation is paramount and it is "NOW "we need action. I realize this is a hard nut to crack because we need to keep our majorities but more than that American men, women and little children are dying and starving and jobless and homeless right now and need help now.

Just my opinion of course.

[PersianStar]

56. Exactly!

People voted Democrat in 2020 to get REAL RELIEF

Before thinking about 2022, politicians better follow-through on their 2020 promises!

[WichitaTim]

57. Yep!

Hit the nail on the head.

[ancianita]

28. Pure PR theater by bad faith players posing as good faith negotiators.

Remember the "replacement" pretext for voting over 60 times to destroy the ACA.

Theater to get the media back to treating the whole group as a party and not the trumpcult these five present themselves as not part of.

Backstage, these five do a beta test to see what manipulations Biden goes for.
They might additionally offer some deal on support for Biden's future legislation.

Backstage, these guys will simply report back their findings to McConnell, McCarthy & trump, then use Biden's response as their hype that Democrats don't really want unity or bipartisanship, simply to revive their brand as "fighters" against libtard spending. Same tired script, different president.

Pure theater of good faith made by bad faith seditionists who'd overturn a national election.

The Senate's trumpcult that blocks impeachment is no different from House trumpcult who block a constitutional voting process.

[packman]

31. Joe should tell them (But too nice of a guy, so he probably won"t)

[dsc]

32. If they announce it on Monday

and it is at all serious, Biden should say OK this is what the final offer is, 1400 checks to all who got them last time, we split the difference on everything else, you have until end of business today to produce 10 GOP Senate co sponsors or we do reconciliation. And I am only in favor of that since reconciliation is a finite resource.

[orangecrush]

33. "Bipartisan" Less for the people

And more for them

[mvd]

34. Too low. No need to negotiate

They also want $1000 relief checks made very targeted.

[OhioTim]

35. Bull****

Just another GOP attempt to peel off part of Biden's plan so the rest of it dies a slow death.

[kaotikross]

39. they had zero problems using Budget Reconciliation to pass trumpys tax cut

The Senate gets one a year, use it.

[Orrex]

41. Here's my counter-counter-proposal

The next time the GOP holds the congressional majority, let them reach out to Democrats in the spirit of bipartisanship.

Until then, every last one of them, and all of their voters, can go fuck themselves.

[McKim]

42. IF THE MONEY WAS FOR WAR....

If this money was going to be spent for war, there would be no problem passing it! Republicans would be falling all over themselves to fund it. But people benefitting from their own tax contributions, not so much!!!!!

[PersianStar]

53. Exactly! Repugs always have plenty of money for war

Wars for profit that only benefit the elite.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

44. Seriously?

Imagine wanting to buy a house and offering one third third the asking price. The counter offer would likely be a plain "fuck you".

Did these people get their negotiation skills from a Trump U course?

[WichitaTim]

45. President Biden Beware

Whenever Republicans request a meeting to quote unquote discuss bi-partisan proposals it really means we want to tell you we want and if you give it to us then fine but if we can't have what we want then the deal is off. It is and always has been the GOP way to bully and lie to get their agenda accomplished. They cannot now or ever be trusted to talk or deal straight. It's always a game to them to get theirs and screw everybody else. That's just the facts. In my personal opinion the now majority senate must do whatever it takes to get measures past that help the people and if that means going nuclear and running over the GOP then so be it. Politicking is not worth a tinker's damn right now. What is worth a damn is saving lives, feeding hungry men, women and little children, helping jobless and homeless Americans get a paycheck and a home to live in and getting our small businesses afloat. To hell with politics. If the nuclear decision is bad for politicians political careers but good for the nation then I suggest politicians check themselves and do what is right for the people. The Democratic way is the way back to a healthy and prosperous nation. The nations leadership exists for one purpose-the welfare of the people and the people only. Democrats have the power now and must wield it for all its worth and get our nation back on track.

Just Saying...

[Bonhomme Richard]

47. Fuck them and bipartisanship is nothing more than..

a way for republicans to fuck up the results and then blame the Democrats.
Like I said, fuck them.

[WichitaTim]

49. Reply to: Fuck them and bipartisanship is nothing more than..

It is a fact that the GOP has always screwed with the Dem agenda severely and then when elections roll around they lie and scream the Dems did not fulfill their promises but never stop and explain that it was because the GOP blocked or attempted to block absolutely everything we Dems tried to get done for the people. There can be no compromise now. The Dems must use their power to force through legislation that which will benefit the people and say "to hell with the GOP and their games of the powerful and rich come first." This is all about saving the nation and not about money or power. There can be no room for political gaming. None!

[Mr.Bill]

48. Here's how you "negotiate" with people like them.

Tell them the 1.9 trillion proposal just became a 4 trillion package.

[SunSeeker]

51. It's a trap! Don't let them water down the bill! We can pass it without them!

We can pass covid relief with just 51 votes using budget reconciliation! Fuck those Republican worms. We have to do what 81 million Americans elected us to do, namely pass a robust covid relief bill, or we will be shellacked in 2022.

[PersianStar]

52. REPUGS' idea of "relief" is ROOT HOG OR DIE !!

Repugs are against direct payments to lower income people... and anything else that doesn't benefit their elite.

[orangecrush]

58. Word

[PersianStar]

69. ???

[orangecrush]

71. "Word" means "Truth".

Welcome to D.U..

[PersianStar]

72. Thanks! :-)

[orangecrush]

76. YW

Which means, "You're welcome!"

[halfulglas]

54. The trouble with "targeting" relief.

I'm not exactly sure of my facts here, but someone told me that the trouble with targeting the relief to the low income "people who really need it" is that it involves them having to apply for this to prove they make under whatever the amount is. Not everyone might have the ability to have the records available to prove this right now. And what about someone who has great tax preparers who actually makes gobs of money that they manage to shelter in various ways. I certainly agree that the Trump administration f'd up with the way they distributed the checks and missed so many of the more needy because they don't get direct deposit of their tax refunds, not to mention the cockamamie debit cards. As a matter of fact, my friend who gets her Social Security checks by direct deposit, but prefers to get her tax refund by check hasn't gotten her $600 check yet. But my point is the people who need another survival check need it now, not months from now. especially since we know most R efforts are to not delay it or water it down, but stop it. They aren't concerned with the economy, they are concerned with the midterm election.

[bucolic_frolic]

59. The FED has already accepted responsibility for all deficits, so there is no reason not to GO BIG

[thucythucy]

60. They did this to President Obama's recovery plan,

whittling it down so that the recovery didn't take off until after the midterms, and then it was a weaker recovery to boot.

If you're on a trip of 500 miles, you don't gas up for 320. That's what they want us to do--pass an inadequate plan, and then blame Democrats when it doesn't go the distance.

The GOP will howl, smear and sully us no matter how much we give up in the name of "bipartisanship."

So we might as well go with what works--the full package. If the pandemic is controlled and turned back and the economy recovers their attacks won't matter.

I'm hoping President Biden remembers what happened in 2009 and 2010. "Moderate" Republicans promised to back the recovery plan if President Obama cut it back. He did, and not a single one of them voted to approve this "bipartisan" plan.

Screw 'em. Go with what works. Every reputable economist and every reputable public health expert says this is the plan we need. Use reconciliation and have done with it.

[monkeyman1]

61. don't waste American's time with republican bull shit -4-yrs is enough !!!!

[niyad]

62. .160 billion a far cry from 1.9 trillion. Hey, you hate-filled bastards, WE WON! Try to keep up.

[BadgerKid]

67. Too little too late,

Dipwads. Take a hike.

[DeminPennswoods]

68. Saw clips of Portman and Cassidy

actually saying that they want a smaller direct payment (Portman) and less money for schools since they got money in the previous bills (Cassidy). Struck me as the epitome of dumb messaging.

[Politicub]

70. Susan Collins is no doubt concerned that all of the fucks have

been given. The ten senate republicans will find the well of fucks has gone dry.

“Can I have a fuck?”, asks Mitt Romney.

“Go fish, Karen,” says Biden. “I may have one fuck your can borrow, if you make it $2.2 trillion.”

[Teddy Beer]

73. Frisk Them at the Door

In fact, give 'em a body-cavity search before you allow them to see the President!

[Akakoji]

74. No

Let them vent, then tell them just where to get off. They obviously don’t have a clue as to how much their constituents are suffering. They just don’t want to raise the minimum wage for black and brown essential workers. The hypocrisy of their claims to bipartisanship is rank. Remember when McConnell help Republicans only meetings to pass bills? Fukk them.

[regnaD kciN]

75. Didn't we see this movie before...?

Demand a "bipartisan compromise" then, if/when something drastically insufficient is agreed to, vote against it anyway.

I'm sure Joe was taking notes when Republicans did this to Obama's post-2008-crash stimulus proposal, health-care plan, etc., etc. Doubt he'll be willing to play that game again.

[Marcuse]

78. Tell the GOPS to negotiate with Chuck.

[Hotler]

81. $618 Billion, too selfish to meet us half way. Fascist, all of them. nt