Others, like Texas Republican Michael C. Burgess, have emphasized the nation’s growing debt. Mr Burgess argued that Mr Biden’s plan would “add nearly $ 2 trillion to the deficit” before listing a number of complaints about the package, including the fact that it will send money to states he accuses of having poorly managed their budgets.
The main argument Republicans have made against the effort so far is that by failing to find Republican support, Mr Biden is cutting off his own campaign call to bring people together across party lines.
“After all the talk about unity,” said Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, the Republican chief on the Finance Committee, “President Biden and the Democrats have taken the partisan route straight out of the gate.”
Mr. Biden and his staff opposed this criticism, claiming that “unity” refers to bringing together the voting public, not members of Congress.
“The president went on to unite the country and come up with ideas that would help address the crisis we are facing,” said Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, citing polls showing both parties’ support for demonstrate the plan by both parties. “He did not promise to unite the Democratic and Republican parties in one party in Washington.”
“This package is largely supported by the American public,” said Psaki. “That’s what people want. They want to see it’s over. They want those checks to get into the communities. They want these funds to go to schools. They want more money to distribute vaccines. “
Still, Mr Biden took the chance that Republicans would come aboard and allowed the possibility that his plans could be changed slightly to appease the moderates in both parties. This included recognition for advocating a restriction on who receives the $ 1,400 direct payments included in the proposal to ensure that those who earn more than $ 300,000 do not benefit. He did not specify what threshold he would accept to start the checks expiring, but made it clear that the starting amount would not change.
