Biden Vows No Retreat on $1,400 Checks, Open to Tightening Rules

President Joe Biden told House Democrats on Wednesday that while he was open to tightening the eligibility for his proposed $1,400 stimulus checks, any move to cut the payments’ base amount would mean starting his presidency with a broken promise.

Biden signaled he wasn’t willing to reduce the standard $1,400 checks, which phase out based on income totals, that were outlined in his aid package, according to participants on the call. Top Senate Democrats said following a subsequent meeting that they were united in pursuing a “big and bold” package.

“We cannot dawdle, we cannot delay, we cannot dilute,” Senate ...