Republicans ask Biden to hear pitch on trimmed down relief bill

Jan. 31 (UPI) -- A group of Republicans on Sunday sent a letter to President Joe Biden requesting a meeting to discuss a trimmed down COVID-19 relief bill.

The 10 senators, led by Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, invoked Biden's inaugural call for "unity" in seeking a measure that provides "more targeted" financial assistance to Americans and making use of unspent funds to support small businesses.

"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. Our proposal reflects many of your stated priorities and with your support, we believe that this plan could be approved quickly by Congress with bipartisan support," the letter states.

The Republican proposal remains in line with parts of Biden's plan such as including $160 billion to enhance vaccine development and distribution, testing and tracing, treatment and supplies capabilities as well as $4 billion for behavioral health and substance abuse services.

However, it breaks with Biden's plan in more closely targeting $1,400 economic impact payments to "those families who need assistance the most, including their dependent children and adults."

With previous direct payments of $1,200 provided by the CARES Act passed in March and $600 sent out in December, all Americans who made up to $75,000 in 2019, or $150,000 for married couples filing jointly, received the full amount.

Collins last week noted that this process, which provided additional funds for each child in a household, created a situation where families earning more than $300,000 a year with multiple children could still receive payments.

"At least in my state, if you're a household of five people with an income in excess of $300,000, it's unlikely that you've been financially harmed by the pandemic," she said. "Whereas lower-income workers and small businesses in the hospitality industry have been devastated."

The letter also notes that "billions of dollars" aimed at small businesses from previous coronavirus relief packages remains unspent.

"Some of the spending appropriated through the CARES Act, passed last March, also has yet to be exhausted," the letter states. "The proposal we have outlined is mindful of these past efforts, while also acknowledging the priorities that need additional support right now."

On Friday, Biden and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen called on Congress to "act now" and pass his $1.9 trillion proposals.

Appearing on NBC News Meet the Press, White House economic adviser Brian Deese said that Biden is "open to ideas, wherever they may come" but will be uncompromising about "the need to move with speed on a comprehensive approach here."

"We have a virus crisis. We have an economic crisis. We have to get shots in people's arms. We have to get the schools reopened so that parents can go back to work. And we need to provide direct relief to families and businesses across the country who are really struggling here," he said. "So, we need to act comprehensively and we need to act with speed but we're going to continue to have conversations as we go forward."