US President Biden begins talks with a group of lawmakers both Republicans and Democrats over the 1.9 trillion USD Covid 19 relief package. The Lawmakers on the right question the wisdom of racking up bigger deficits while those on the left are urging Biden to reduce the spending on bipartisanship when the pandemic is killing thousands of Americans each day and costing more jobs in the midst of tightening restrictions in many communities. 

A minimum of dozen senators met for an hour and 15 minutes in a virtual call with White House National Economic Council director Brian Deese and other senior White House officials. Sen Angus King, an independent from Maine, called the opening talks a “serious effort", as the people hopes for package approval before the former President's trial which is set to begin in two weeks. “There was not a hint of cynicism or lack of commitment to at least trying to work something out,” King said. 

Senators from both parties raised questions about the economic assistance provisions, particularly making direct dollar 1,400 payments to Americans more tailored to recipients based on need. They also wanted more data on how the White House reached the dollar 1.9 trillion figure. The White House is pushing for bipartisan support and there was no discussion of breaking the package apart or pushing it through on a procedural move that could be done without Republicans said King. 

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