In the past when asked the same question, Biden has said that he has not spoken with the GOP leader.
Claiming it would be “stupid†to talk publicly about how he negotiates with congressional leaders, Biden suggested Friday that he has been working behind the scenes to build support for an immediate stimulus package even as he plans to put forward his own proposal for more spending after taking office next month.Asked about the stimulus payments and Sanders’s opposition, Biden said Friday that the current package “would be better†if the checks were included.Biden has been in touch with key lawmakers on the Hill since before the election to discuss stimulus legislation, transition spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki said.Throughout the week, as the deal emerged, Biden encouraged the talks while repeatedly stating that a package would be only a first step on the road to a broader economic recovery.“It’s not going to satisfy everybody,†Biden said, adding, “If you insist on everything, we’re likely to get nothing.â€.Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, said the troubling jobs report and raging pandemic should encourage lawmakers to move quickly on the stimulus, even if it means Democrats accepting a smaller-than-desired deal.Biden said he agrees with the general notion that first responders and people in nursing homes should be first in line to receive the vaccine.The president-elect said he wants an event that will follow coronavirus precautions and said that means it’s unlikely there will be big crowds or a traditional parade down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House