Biden predicts ‘very bleak’ future without another COVID-19 relief package
Biden delivered afternoon remarks from Wilmington, Delaware, on the final jobs report of 2020 out Friday morning, warning of a “very bleak” future if Congress and the president don't pass another COVID-19 relief package.
“The folks I'm talking about out there aren't looking for a handout. They just need help. They're in trouble through no fault of their own. Nothing they did caused them to have hours cut or lose their job or drop out of the market,” Biden began. “We're in a crisis. We need to come together as a nation. We need the Congress to act and act now," he said, noting that unemployment benefits are set to expire for 12 million Americans on Dec. 12.

His remarks come after a new jobs report shows the labor market clawing its way out of the pandemic-induced downturn and still far away from a full recovery -- with unemployment at 6.7%. The unemployment rate was 3.5% in February before the crisis hit.
“It was grim. It shows an economy that’s stalling,” Biden said of the report. “We remain in the midst of one of the worst economic job crises in modern history, but it doesn't have to stay that way.”
ABC News’ Senior Congressional Correspondent Mary Bruce pressed Biden on how he would get Republicans to sign on to another relief package when he takes office when they’ve hesitated to sign on to the $908 billion bipartisan deal. Asked if he’s spoken with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell yet, Biden paused before responding.
“We'll be in dire trouble if we don't get cooperation. I believe we will,” he said.







