Biden suggested last week that the spending package be reduced to $1.75-$1.9 Trillion.
He stated that Thursday's "reach" was to include expansion of medicare in the bill.
Senator Bernie Sanders stated Saturday that the Medicare expansion "is not coming out" of the bill.
A daily selection of top stories, based on your reading preferences, is available to you. Loading Click Sign up to receive marketing emails and other offers from Insider.
Senator Bernie Sanders stated that Medicare expansions in dental, vision and hearing coverage will continue to be part of the spending package. This contradicts President Joe Biden's remarks earlier this week.
"The expansion Medicare to include vision, hearing and dental is one of the most important and popular provisions of the reconciliation bill. It is what the American people want. "It's not coming out," Sanders tweeted Saturday.
Biden suggested earlier this week that the $3.5 trillion initial spending package be reduced to $1.75-$1.9 Trillion.
Biden stated that it would be possible to include Medicare expansion in the spending bill during a CNN Town Hall on Thursday.
Biden stated that "And the reason it's a reach is not I think it’s a good plan, and it’s not that expensive in relative terms, especially when we allow Medicare to negotiate drugs prices." "But here's what: Senator Sinema and Mr. Manchin are opposed to this, but I believe that's also true of Mr. Manchin."
Sens. Sens. NPR reported that Sanders is frustrated by the slow pace of negotiations and Sinema’s opposition to key sections of the bill.
Jon Tester, Montana Senator, told Axios Friday he saw Manchin tell Sanders that he was happy spending nothing on the bill during their meeting to discuss disagreements.
The Hill reported Sanders was frustrated that Sinema would not allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices.
Sanders said Thursday to reporters, The Hill reporting that Sanders stated that it was "incomprehensible that any member of Congress is not willing to vote to ensure that we lower prescription drugs costs."
Insider asked for comment from Sinema, Manchin and the White House at the time of publication.
