Top US Republican Leader Acknowledges President-Elect Biden... Stimulus Bill Agreement Accelerates

Senate GOP Leader McConnell Acknowledges Biden Victory After Electoral Vote
Stimulus Bill Negotiations Kick Off
Democratic and Republican Leaders, Treasury Secretary Mnuchin Expected to Attend

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The atmosphere in the U.S. political sphere is changing as President-elect Joe Biden wins the Electoral College vote. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of the Republican Party has acknowledged Biden for the first time, and negotiations on a stimulus bill between the Democratic and Republican parties are becoming more concrete.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

According to the political media outlet The Hill, on the 15th (local time), McConnell said in a floor speech, "The Electoral College has spoken. I want to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden today."

McConnell also commented on Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, saying, "Americans can take pride in having the first female vice president."

U.S. media outlets widely reported McConnell's remarks as his recognition of Biden as president-elect. CNN reported that this is the first time McConnell has acknowledged Biden's victory since the election ended.

With McConnell, the top Republican in the Senate, making such remarks, it is expected that other Republican figures will also acknowledge the election results.

As President Trump's defeat was confirmed by the Electoral College vote, attempts to reach agreements on additional stimulus bills and the federal government budget are also intensifying.

According to CNBC, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of the Democratic Party met with McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of the Republican Party to hold phone consultations on the stimulus bill and budget. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who spoke with Speaker Pelosi for about an hour that day, is also expected to discuss the stimulus bill with these lawmakers.

The New York Times reported that this is the first time since the election that bipartisan U.S. leaders have come together to discuss the stimulus bill.

Last week, the U.S. Congress passed a one-week temporary budget to buy time for negotiations.

CNBC described the meeting as the most important effort by congressional leaders to reach an agreement on the stimulus bill. The broadcast expressed concern that without congressional action, the federal government would shut down after the 18th, and 12 million people would not receive unemployment benefits the day after Christmas. Other foreign media also reported that this phone call was the most critical moment for reaching a stimulus bill agreement.

The day before, bipartisan lawmakers proposed a $748 billion stimulus bill targeting small business loans, unemployment insurance, vaccine distribution, education, and rental assistance. This excludes areas with significant disagreements between the parties from the original $908 billion proposal, increasing the likelihood of a successful negotiation.

Before the meeting, McConnell also expressed his willingness to reach an agreement on the stimulus bill in a press conference.

McConnell said, "I hope we can prepare a federal budget that includes additional coronavirus relief," adding, "Republican senators will stay here until an agreement on the stimulus bill is reached."

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