Page 1 - aruba-today-20210202

Celebrate Love!

Tuesday
February 2, 2021
T: 582-7800
www.arubatoday.com
facebook.com/arubatoday
instagram.com/arubatoday
Page 9
Aruba’s ONLY English newspaper
A r u b a ’ s O N L Y E n g l i s h n e w s p a p e r
Biden to meet Republicans as Democrats push ahead on aid

By AAMER MADHANI, LISA
MASCARO and JOSH BOAK
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Presi-
dent Joe Biden is to meet
late Monday with a group
of 10 Republican senators
who have proposed $618
billion in coronavirus aid,
about a third of the $1.9
trillion he is seeking as con-
gressional Democrats vow
to push ahead with or with-
out GOP support.
The Republican group's
proposal focuses on the
pandemic's health effects,
tapping into bipartisan ur-
gency to shore up the na-
tion's vaccine distribution
and vastly expanding virus
testing with $160 billion in
aid. While that's the same
as Biden's proposal, their
slimmed down $1,000 di-
rect payments would go to
fewer households than the
$1,400 Biden has proposed,
and they offer a fraction of
what he wants to re-open
schools.
They also would give noth- White House press secretary Jen Psaki speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, in Washington.
ing to states, money that Associated Press
Democrats argue is just as
important, with $350 billion orities such as a gradual lift- talks is certain to appeal the House and Senate on won’t depend on Republi-
in Biden's plan to keep po- ing of the federal minimum to Biden’s wish to unify the broader budget resolutions can support for passage.
lice, fire and other workers wage to $15 an hour. nation. But Democrats an- that will lay the groundwork
on the job. Engaging the White House nounced Monday they for approving a COVID re- Continued on next page
Gone are Democratic pri- in high-profile bipartisan were pushing ahead in lief bill with a process that