Wyden Statement on Senate Democrats' Meeting with President Biden on COVID Relief

Incoming Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today released the following statement after Senate Democrats' meeting with President Joe Biden:

“President Biden and Senate Democrats are united on the need for a big, bold relief package that meets the needs of the American people. We had a productive meeting, and I greatly appreciate President Biden’s shared commitment to not repeating the mistakes that were made during the Great Recession. He knows the risk of going too small is far greater than the risk of going too big.

“In particular, I made clear that a $400 weekly boost to jobless benefits is a floor, not a ceiling. The $600 weekly boost to jobless benefits was an overwhelming success in helping families stay afloat and reducing poverty, despite an unprecedented economic crisis. Americans of modest means are experiencing Great Depression levels of joblessness, and COVID cases and deaths are far higher than they were when the $600 was enacted. We need to ensure we’re supporting the millions of workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.”

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