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U.S. NEWS Monday 1 February 2021
GOP lawmakers urge Biden to meet with them on virus relief

By AAMER MADHANI ately commit to a Biden
WASHINGTON (AP) — Ten meeting with the lawmak-
Republican senators on ers.
Sunday proposed spend- But Cedric Richmond, a se-
ing about one-third of nior Biden adviser, said the
what President Joe Biden president "is very willing to
is seeking in coronavirus meet with anyone to ad-
aid and urged him to ne- vance the agenda." When
gotiate rather than try to asked about the senators'
ram through his $1.9 trillion plan, Richmond said, "this
package solely on Demo- is about seriousness of pur-
cratic votes.In challenging pose."
Biden to fulfill his pledge Deese indicated the White
of unity, the group said in House could be open to ne-
a letter that their counter- gotiating on further limiting
proposal will include $160 who would receive stimu-
billion for vaccines, testing, lus checks. Portman sug-
treatment and personal gested the checks should
protective equipment and go to individuals who make
will call for more targeted no more than $50,000 per
relief than Biden's plan to year and families capped
issue $1,400 stimulus checks at $100,000 per year.
for most Americans. In this Jan. 19, 2021 file photo, Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, speaks to members of the media outside Under the Biden plan,
Winning the support of 10 a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. families with incomes up
Republicans would be sig- Associated Press to $300,000 could receive
nificant for Biden in the 50- some stimulus money.
50 Senate where Vice Presi- the Republican senators reconciliation. That would The other GOP senators "That is certainly a place
dent Kamala Harris is the wrote. "Our proposal re- allow the bill to advance are Susan Collins of Maine, that we're willing to sit
tie-breaker. If all Democrats flects many of your stated with only the backing of his Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, down and think about, are
were to back an eventual priorities, and with your sup- Democratic majority. Mitt Romney of Utah, Shel- there ways to make the en-
compromise bill, the legis- port, we believe that this The Republicans did not ley Moore Capito of West tire package more effec-
lation would reach the 60- plan could be approved provide many details of Virginia, Todd Young of In- tive?" Deese said.
vote threshold necessary to quickly by Congress with bi- their proposal. One of the diana, Jerry Moran of Kan- As a candidate, Biden pre-
overcome potential block- partisan support." signatories, Louisiana Sen. sas, Mike Rounds of South dicted his decades in the
ing efforts and pass under The plea for Biden to give Bill Cassidy, said that it Dakota, and Thom Tillis of Senate and his eight years
regular Senate procedures. bipartisan negotiations would cost about $600 bil- North Carolina. as Barack Obama's vice
"In the spirit of bipartisan- more time comes as the lion. Brian Deese, the top White president gave him cred-
ship and unity, we have president has shown signs "If you can't find bipartisan House economic adviser ibility as a deal-maker and
developed a COVID-19 of impatience as the more compromise on COVID-19, who is leading the admin- would help him bring Re-
relief framework that builds liberal wing of his party I don't know where you can istration's outreach to Con- publicans and Democrats
on prior COVID assistance considers passing the re- find it," said Ohio Sen. Rob gress, said administration to consensus on the most
laws, all of which passed lief package through a Portman, who also signed officials were reviewing the important matters facing
with bipartisan support," process known as budget the letter. letter. He did not immedi- the country.q

Creator of 'Bernie' mittens partners with teddy bear maker

By KATHY McCORMACK side business making mit- parka and the recycled "We're excited to be in the
Associated Press tens out of recycled wool, wool mittens. Sanders put mittens category."
The teacher who created gave Sanders a pair as a out so-called "Chairman It's not clear when the first
the recycled wool mittens gift, and he wore them to Sanders" merchandise, in- mittens would be available
that U.S. Sen. Bernie Sand- President Joe Biden's inau- cluding T-shirts, sweatshirts for purchase. Those inter-
ers wore to the presidential guration. His fashion look, and stickers, on his cam- ested in getting a pair can
inauguration — engender- also featuring a winter jack- paign website. leave an email at the com-
ing countless memes — is et made by Burton Snow- Vermont Teddy Bear, which pany's website.
partnering with the Ver- boards, sparked countless makes handcrafted bears In the past, Vermont Ted-
mont Teddy Bear Com- memes prompted by the for all occasions, including dy Bear has made special
pany to create a whole photo taken by Agence a Bernie one, reached out bears to raise money for
mitten line to meet soaring France-Presse: The former to Ellis to see if she'd be in- Make-A-Wish Vermont, and
demand, with some of the presidential candidate terested in partnering. recently gave office space
proceeds going to Make- could be found on social "Jen is going to work hand- to the organization for $1
A-Wish Vermont. media timelines taking a in-hand — mitten-in-hand a year, said James Hatha-
"I can't be more thrilled, seat on the subway, the — with each one of our way, president and CEO of
because I personally can't moon and the couch with designers" to ensure that Make-A-Wish Vermont. Ha-
make 18,000 pairs of mit- the cast of "Friends," among the 'Bernie mitten' design thaway said the charity lost
tens," Jen Ellis said Satur- other creative locales. in multiple patterns is pro- $250,000 in revenue during In this Jan. 20, 2021 file pho-
day, estimating how many Sanders raised at least $1.8 duced in a way that meets the pandemic. to, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.,
people have contacted million in merchandise for her standards of quality, "We are so grateful to Ver- wears mittens as he attends
her. "Everybody will get charities stemming from the said Hayes McCarthy, vice mont Teddy Bear, Jen, and President Joe Biden's inaugu-
ration ceremony at the U.S.
their mittens — everybody." Jan. 20 image of him seat- president of product in- of course to Bernie for be- Capitol in Washington.
Ellis, a Vermont elementary ed with his arms and legs novation, brand creative ing so Bernie," Hathaway Associated Press
school teacher who has a crossed, clad in his brown and consumer experience. said in a statement.q