Biden desires to push for extra funds within the subsequent Covid plan

U.S. President-elect Joe Biden gives a pre-holiday speech at The Queen in Wilmington, Delaware on December 22, 2020.

Alex Edelman | AFP | Getty Images

President-elect Joe Biden will call for a third round of stimulus checks in the next Covid-19 bill, he said on Tuesday.

The former vice president said at an event in Wilmington, Delaware that his plan calls for direct payments to Americans but declined to indicate how big they would be, calling it a negotiable matter.

“I think you see that there is a clear understanding that these issues go beyond any ideology,” said Biden. “The people hurt desperately and the Republicans hurt as much as the Democrats.”

Biden praised his former rival for the Democratic nomination, Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., And Senator Josh Hawley, R-Mo., For calling for direct payments in the latest Covid-19 aid package passed by Congress on Monday night.

The $ 900 billion legislation provided for $ 600 payments to most Americans, expected to arrive as soon as next week. This plan was based on the CARES Act, which was passed in March and provided for $ 1,200 checks.

Biden’s comments on direct payments came in response to a reporter’s question about comments he made ahead of the upcoming holidays that touched on the coronavirus and the massive hack recently exposed on US companies and government agencies.

In his roughly 10-minute speech, Biden warned of the growing toll on Covid-19.

“One thing I promise you about my leadership during this crisis I will tell you directly,” said Biden. “And here is the simple truth. Our darkest days in this fight against Covid are ahead, not behind us.”

Biden said during his remarks that he would present his plan to lawmakers early next year. It will be inaugurated on January 20th.

“Congress did its job this week,” he said. “It can and must do it again next year.”

Biden repeatedly referred to the $ 900 billion package as a “down payment” and did so again Tuesday. He said more funds would be needed for vaccine distribution, reopening schools, and helping firefighters, police and nurses.

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