President-elect Joe Biden is weighing in on coronavirus relief amid the pandemic and what is needed to help Americans.
On a $908 billion coronavirus relief package proposed by a bipartisan group of senators this week, Biden told CNN’s Jake Tapper during Thursday’s interview, “That would be a good start. It’s not enough.”
He said that funding is “immediately needed” for things like unemployment, for those who are renting, and for relief on mortgage payments.
Biden added that he believes “it should be passed,” but, “I’m going to ask for more when we get there to get things done.”
Watch Biden’s comments below:
President-elect Joe Biden calls a proposed $908 billion Covid-19 relief package "a good start" but adds "it's not enough." https://t.co/6TUOvgmq6I pic.twitter.com/6CM2wPFWMF
— The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) December 4, 2020
A bipartisan group of senators unveiled a $908 billion coronavirus relief proposal earlier this week, as IJR reported. It would provide funding for unemployment benefits, small businesses, and state and local governments.
On the same day, Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) released the latest version of a COVID-19 relief bill, as IJR also reported.
President Donald Trump indicated on Wednesday that he would sign a Senate Republican coronavirus relief package.
Mnuchin said this week, “The president will sign the McConnell proposal that he put forward yesterday. We look forward to making progress on that.”
However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said, “The obvious fact of the matter is the biggest impediment to getting an agreement is the Republican leader refusing to negotiate in a bipartisan way.”
Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said on Wednesday that “the bipartisan framework introduced by Senators yesterday should be used as the basis for immediate bipartisan, bicameral negotiations.”
On Thursday, Trump was asked if Congress passed another coronavirus relief bill if he would support it, to which he said, “I will, and I think we are getting very close. I want it to happen. And I believe we are getting very close to a deal.”