Joe Biden receives ten Republican elected officials to discuss his bailout plan
Senator Susan Collins (center) speaks after a meeting between ten Republican elected officials and US President Joe Biden at the White House on February 1, 2021. AFP - CHIP SOMODEVILLA
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
Joe Biden shows his willingness to return to bipartisan dialogue.
The president received ten Republican senators at length on Monday, February 1 at the White House.
On the menu of discussions, the rescue plan for the economy.
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With our correspondent in Washington,
Anne Corpet
The Democratic president
wants to release 1,900 billion
to help Americans, businesses and states, while the Republicans are offering $ 618 billion.
They refuse to validate the increase in the minimum wage to $ 15, one of Joe Biden's electoral promises, and do not want to hear about additional aid granted from the States.
They also want to increase the direct aid offered to Americans from $ 1,400 to $ 1,000.
Despite these disagreements, Joe Biden wished to show that he was open to discussion by receiving them at the White House.
A meeting deemed "very
productive and cordial
" by Senator Susan Collins.
The meeting lasted two hours, much more than expected, but without leading to any concrete result.
“
I wouldn't say we struck a deal on the package tonight
,” Collins said.
But we did agree to continue the discussions and see how to continue working together so I think it was a great meeting and we really appreciate that the chairman chose to spend so much time with us for a very frank conversation. and very useful.
"
A successful communication coup therefore for Joe Biden who advocates unity and wants to reconnect with a bipartisan spirit torpedoed under the Trump presidency.
But the differences in the amount of the envelope are very important and the president wants his plan to be adopted as soon as possible.
In Congress, Democrats say they are prepared to use a procedure that would allow it to pass without the votes of Republicans.
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To read also: United States: Joe Biden unveils his stimulus plan of 1.9 billion dollars
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Joe biden
United States