Inch by Inch in the Senate
Relief bill may hit the Senate floor today. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is confident that Democrats will have the votes to pass President Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. However, moderate Democrats are pushing for a lower threshold for relief payments and changes in unemployment benefits and state and local aid. The Senate is expected to vote on its version of the bill by the end of the week.
Nominations update. The White House is withdrawing the nomination of Neera Tanden to head the Office of Management Budget. Because West Virginia’s Joe Manchin opposes her, Biden does not appear to have the Senate votes to confirm Tanden. She is likely to be offered a White House job that does not require Senate confirmation. Shalanda Young, a veteran Hill staffer already nominated to be deputy OMB director, is widely expected to be Biden’s new choice for the top spot. Separately, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo has been confirmed as US Commerce Secretary.