President Biden on Wednesday said that he’s open to new income limits on $1,400 stimulus checks in a bid to get his $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief legislation through Congress.
Biden said he was open to changes before he hosted 11 members of the Senate Democratic caucus in the Oval Office, including Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (i-Vt.).
Biden didn’t publicly say he wanted new limits during a brief fireside pool spray with reporters in the Oval Office before noon, but did so twice before convening the large group meeting.
Biden first said he was open to new income limits during a call with House Democrats and then again in a closed-door White House meeting with Delaware’s two Democratic senators.
“We did have a conversation about the direct payments and how those might be modified in a way to ensure they’re targeted,” Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) told reporters at the White House.
In his morning call with House Democrats, Biden said, “I think we can better target the number. I’m OK with that.”
Democrats in Congress are moving forward with a “reconciliation” maneuver that allows spending items to pass the Senate by a majority vote rather than the usual 60-vote supermajority. But control of the Senate is split 50-50 and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) has expressed interest in new limits on checks.
Former President Donald Trump in December requested $2,000 stimulus checks for most Americans — but Republicans denied the request and approved only $600 checks. Biden’s $1,400 request would bring the combined amount to $2,000.
Under current plans, the checks would be available in full to adults who earn up to $75,000. The amount would decrease for higher earners and people over $95,000 would get nothing. The caps double for married joint filers.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris meet with Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and others to discuss a COVID-19 relief packageAP
Republicans criticized a change to how dependents are treated under proposed Democratic legislation that could dramatically increase income caps for some families with children.
A proposal floated by centrist Republicans led by Sen. Susan Collins of Maine recommends $1,000 checks with an income cap of $50,000 for individuals and $100,000 for couples.
Many Republicans oppose more checks, arguing the focus of spending should be on vaccine distribution to end the pandemic and return people to work.
An initial wave of $1,200 stimulus checks was approved by Congress in March.
