Biden Administration May Be Open To Stricter Stimulus Requirements

The White House has signaled it could be open to modifying its next round of stimulus checks in order to target them to lower-income populations only, CNBC reported.

Brian Deese, an advisor to President Joe Biden, appeared on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” to say the administration has welcomed Republican feedback as of late, and the focus is still on relief for those in trouble because of the pandemic.

“When it comes to the checks, we put forward a proposal that … passed the House with 275 votes — 44 Republicans voted for it,” Deese said, according to CNBC, referring to the $900 billion bill in December.

He added that “if there are ways to make that provision, and other provisions, more effective, that’s something that we’re open to, that we’ll have conversations about,” CNBC reported.

Biden’s plan for pandemic relief comes in the form of a proposed $1.9 trillion bill that hasn’t yet been voted on, called the American Rescue Plan. The plan has faced critiques by a bipartisan group looking to reduce the price tag of the bill, either by passing it in separate parts or tightening requirements for families and individuals looking to qualify for the stimulus checks.

As Democrats currently hold a razor-thin lead in the Senate, any opposition could end up jeopardizing the passage of the bill. Some opposition has already surfaced from Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, which forced the Biden administration to seek support from moderate GOP members, CNBC reported.

Additionally, Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitt Romney of Utah have already voiced critiques, saying they aren’t sure another round is necessary, especially not at the steep $1.9 trillion price, PYMNTS reported. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has said he’s interested in passing a bill with bipartisan support.