Biden's staff quickly confirmed he would meet with the group, underscoring his interest in negotiating a bipartisan deal. The president and Congressional Democrats, however, have made clear they prefer a fast-acting, larger package.
“With the virus posing a grave threat to the country, and economic conditions grim for so many, the need for action is urgent,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said of a potential deal, noting “the scale of what must be done is large.”
The Republican group, which represents one-fifth of the GOP Senate caucus, spans the ideological spectrum from moderates to ardent conservatives. Some, like senators Susan Collins and Mitt Romney, have been open to criticizing former President Donald Trump while others in the group, including senators Thom Tillis and Todd Young, have been closely associated with the former president.