Biden makes case for $1.9T package

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden urged Senate Democrats on Tuesday to go big on virus relief, making an aggressive case in favor of his $1.9 trillion rescue package as Dems took the first steps to advance the legislation.

Biden addressed Senate Democrats a day after meeting with a group of Republican senators who are pushing a much narrower, $618 billion bill.

According to several people familiar with his remarks, the president said he viewed a proposal that size as inadequate and that the risks of going small outweighed the risks of going big. Press secretary Jen Psaki emphasized in a press briefing later that the White House stood by the $1.9 trillion top-line figure of its plan.

The Senate took an initial vote Tuesday to advance a budget bill that would pave the way to pass Biden’s relief package with a simple majority, leaving Republicans out if necessary. The procedural vote to advance to debate on the budget bill was 50-49, with all Democrats voting in favor and one Republican not voting.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also emphasized the need for a robust relief package.