As Democrats in Congress are beginning to move toward passing another COVID-19 relief package, U.S. Rep. John Katko and other moderate House Republicans are asking President Joe Biden to pursue a bipartisan agreement.Â
Katko, R-Camillus, and members of the Republican Governance Group sent a letter to Biden on Wednesday requesting negotiations between both parties. The letter was released following a party-line vote in the House that would allow Democrats to pass a $1.9 trillion relief bill using a process called budget reconciliation.
Under budget reconciliation, there are certain terms Congress must meet to advance the legislation. But the important part for Democrats is that it only requires a simple majority to pass both houses. There is a 50-50 tie in the Senate, but Democrats hold the majority because Vice President Kamala Harris is the tie-breaking vote. Democrats also have a majority of seats in the House.Â