Biden tells Senate Democrats to stick together, quickly pass coronavirus relief

President Biden on Tuesday urged Senate Democrats to stay united and quickly pass a coronavirus relief bill, as the caucus is trying to navigate some high-profile squabbles.

Biden’s message, delivered during a virtual conference call, comes as the Senate could take up a sweeping $1.9 trillion coronavirus bill as soon as Wednesday.

“Senate Democrats are committed to passing the American Rescue Plan. … He said that we need to pass this bill and pass it soon,” Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters after the call.

Biden and Schumer will need every member of the Senate Democratic Conference in order to get the bill through the chamber.

According to the White House, Biden “highlighted the broad support the package has received – including from a bipartisan majority of the American people, state and local leaders, labor, and the business community – and noted the urgency of passing the bill to speed up vaccinations and the safe reopening of schools.”

Biden’s unity message comes as the caucus is still trying to work out high-profile divisions. But senators say he’s largely leaving it to them to work out the policy details.