President Biden said yesterday that he agrees with a proposal from House Democrats to begin phasing out the next round of direct coronavirus relief payments to Americans who make more than $75,000, a key sticking point among some in the party, The Hill reported. Biden signaled his support for the threshold during a meeting with the heads of several major corporations in the Oval Office. He hosted the business leaders to solicit buy-in on his $1.9 trillion relief proposal as well as to discuss future economic measures such as an infrastructure package and an increase to the minimum wage. Biden was joined in the Oval Office by Vice President Harris and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. The meeting comes as the White House and congressional Democrats work to push through Biden's economic relief package, which would send direct payments to millions of Americans, provide funding for schools as well as state and local governments, and boost money for vaccine distribution. House Democrats on Monday night released key portions of their coronavirus relief bill. The proposal called for direct payments of $1,400 to single taxpayers with annual income up to $75,000 and married couples that make up to $150,000.
