Biden Aims for Deal With Republicans on Covid Relief Package

  • Plan would forgo using budget tool to pass Democrat-only bill
  • Biden staff briefs Democratic staff on plans Tuesday

Biden last week talked of a “multi-trillion” economic package, but this could now come in stages.

Photographer: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images
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President-elect Joe Biden will seek a deal with Republicans on another round of Covid-19 relief, rather than attempting to ram a package through without their support, according to two people familiar with the matter.

The approach could mean a smaller initial package that features some priorities favored by Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell. The idea is to forgo using a special budget process that would remove the need to get the support of at least 10 Republicans in the Senate, which will be split 50-50 and under Democratic control only thanks to the vice president’s vote.