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President Biden told Senate Democratic leaders in the Oval Office on Wednesday that the room is “their new home” — a distinct break in the message of “unity” he has been touting since entering the White House last month.

“This is their new home for a while, anyway,” Biden told reporters during the coronavirus stimulus talks with Democrats. “And with a little bit of luck, the grace of God and the goodwill of the neighbors, and the crick not rising, it’s going to be longer than just four years.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), sitting nearby​ with several Senate committee chairs​, knocked on a wooden end table following Biden’s comments.

The president was asked as reporters were shuffling out of the room if his $1.9 trillion stimulus package will draw GOP members.

“Oh, we’ll get Republican support,” Biden replied.


  President Biden told Senate Democratic leaders that the Oval Office is “their new home” during a meeting on Feb. 3, 2021. Stefani Reynolds/Pool/EPA President Biden told Senate Democratic leaders that the Oval Office is “their new home” during a meeting on Feb. 3, 2021. Stefani Reynolds/Pool/EPA

His comments come after Senate Democrats approved using a reconciliation procedure to pass the relief legislation after Republicans ​earlier this week ​offered a $600 billion stimulus counter-plan.

Reconciliation will allow the Democrats to pass the relief bill by a simple majority and bypass the filibuster, which would require 60 votes to end.


  President Biden meets with Senate Democrats in the Oval Office on Feb. 3, 2021. Stefani Reynolds/Pool/EPA President Biden meets with Senate Democrats in the Oval Office on Feb. 3, 2021. Stefani Reynolds/Pool/EPA

The Democrats control the Senate in a 50-50 split with Vice President Kamala Harris serving to break any deadlocks.

Schumer said the president was on board with using reconciliation.

“[H]e told Senate Republicans that the $600 billion that they proposed was way too small,” Schumer said of the White House meeting Biden hosted with Republicans to hear their plan on Monday.

“We share President Biden’s desire to advance this legislation in a bipartisan way, but the work must move forward. We are not going to dilute, dither or delay,” Schumer said.

The intent to use reconciliation and sideline Republicans to pass the stimulus package is a starkly different tactic ​than what ​Biden trumpeted during his inauguration speech and in the days since.

“This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge. Unity is the path forward,” Biden said Jan. 20 on the Capitol steps. “And we must meet this moment, as the United States of America. If we do that, I guarantee you, we will not fail.”

He went on to say he would be the president for all Americans and encouraged those who did not vote for him to keep an open mind.


  President Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speak during an Oval Office meeting on Feb. 3, 2021. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images President Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speak during an Oval Office meeting on Feb. 3, 2021. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

“All those who did not support us, let me say this: Hear me out as we move forward. Take a measure of me and my heart,” he ​said​. “If you still disagree, so be it, that’s democracy, that’s America.”

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