Joe Biden says he will push for more stimulus checks in next Covid relief bill

President-elect Joe Biden will push for a third round of stimulus checks in the next Covid-19 relief bill, he said Tuesday.

The former vice president said at an event in Wilmington, Delaware, that his plan will call for direct payments to Americans, but declined to specify how large they would be, calling that a matter for negotiation.

"I think you're seeing that there is a clear understanding that these issues go beyond any ideology," Biden said. "People are desperately hurting, and the Republicans are hurting as badly as Democrats." 

Biden praised his former rival for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., as well as Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., for pushing for direct payments in the latest Covid-19 relief package, which was passed by Congress on Monday night.

The $900 billion legislation provided for $600 payments to most Americans, which are expected to arrive as soon as next week. That plan was modeled on the CARES Act, which was passed in March and provided for $1,200 checks.

Biden's comments about direct payments came in response to a question from a reporter following remarks he delivered ahead of the upcoming holidays that touched on the coronavirus and the recently uncovered massive hack on U.S. businesses and government agencies.

In his approximately 10-minute speech, Biden warned about the growing toll inflicted by Covid-19.

"One thing I promise you about my leadership during this crisis, I'm going to tell it to you straight," Biden said. "And here's the simple truth. Our darkest days in this battle against Covid are ahead of us, not behind us."

Biden said during his remarks that he would present his plan to lawmakers early next year. He will be inaugurated on Jan. 20.

"Congress did its job this week," he said. "It can and must do it again next year."

Biden has repeatedly called the $900 billion package a "down payment" and did so again Tuesday. He said more funding would be needed for vaccine distribution, reopening schools, and to help firefighters, police and nurses.

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