President Joe Biden said he’s open to reshaping his $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief proposal as the administration seeks a bipartisan deal, though didn’t rule out pursuing a Democrat-only route for passage.

Janet Yellen told lawmakers Jan. 19 that help for the unemployed and small businesses would provide the “biggest bang for the buck” as she made the case for President-elect Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan.

President-elect Joe Biden on Jan. 14 will unveil a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, according to two people familiar with the matter, setting up his first legislative test in the face of a split U.S. Senate and a deteriorating economy.

Incoming Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has pressed President-elect Joe Biden to propose more than $1.3 trillion in spending for his initial round of COVID-19 relief, according to a person familiar with the matter.

President-elect Joe Biden’s plan to pass a multitrillion-dollar economic stimulus package early in his administration faces challenges in a closely divided U.S. Senate, with a potential impeachment trial for Donald Trump that could add to delays.

Chances of another federal stimulus package got a boost as Democrats swept this week’s Senate runoff elections in Georgia, offering the prospect of more support for people and businesses hammered by the pandemic.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Dec. 29 blocked an attempt by Democrats to force quick action on increasing direct stimulus payments to $2,000 despite President Donald Trump’s demands for the change.

The House on Dec. 28 passed a bill replacing the $600 stimulus checks in the newly enacted virus relief bill with $2,000 payments, as Democrats and moderate Republicans voted in favor of a proposal backed by President Donald Trump.

The House is set to vote Dec. 28 to replace the $600 stimulus payments in the newly enacted pandemic relief law with the $2,000 President Donald Trump demanded — a Democratic-led effort that is politically fraught for congressional Republicans and unlikely to become law.

A surprise scuffle over pandemic relief is set to run up against a crucial federal funding deadline the week of Dec. 28 as Democrats side with President Donald Trump in his demand for $2,000 payments to most Americans and Republicans take up his criticism of government spending.