The House passed a budget resolution Wednesday, a key step as Democrats push toward a vote on a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. Approval of the measure allows Congress to move forward with reconciliation, which allows Democrats to pass an aid bill without Republican support. The Senate is expected to approve a resolution later this week. Sign up for a free trial to CNBC Pro to access Margie Patel’s full Pro Talk interview: https://cnb.cx/3aBIkF5 Democratic congressional leaders took the first step Monday toward passing a sweeping coronavirus relief bill without GOP support, as President Joe Biden heard out a much smaller plan from Republicans. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris met with 10 Republican senators for about two hours Monday, as Democrats decide whether to slim their aid proposal to win GOP votes or forge ahead alone. The Republican lawmakers put forward a counteroffer to Biden’s $1.9 trillion rescue package on Sunday. The $618 billion plan would: Send a smaller $1,000 direct payment, which starts to phase out at a lower $40,000 income threshold for individuals Extend $300 per week federal unemployment benefits through June 30 Put $20 billion into a national vaccine program Inject $20 billion into K-12 schools Not include any state and local government support, a priority for Democrats Following the Oval Office meeting, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, called it “productive” and “cordial.” She said “I wouldn’t say that we came together on a package,” but noted that the sides agreed to “follow up and talk further” about an aid plan. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Sunday dismissed the GOP plan as inadequate as his Democratic Party warns that failure to spend now will cause more pain in coming years. As he meets with Republicans, Biden will try to balance a professed desire to work across the aisle with his calls to act decisively to mitigate the health and economic crises. Warning of the damage done by delays, Democrats forged ahead with the thorny process that would allow them to approve a bill with no Republican votes in Congress. Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., introduced a budget resolution, the initial step toward using the reconciliation process that requires only a majority vote to pass. The House aims to approve the measure this week. The resolution instructs committees to draft a bevy of coronavirus aid measures included in Biden’s proposal, such as $1,400 direct payments, a $400 per week federal unemployment boost through September, $350 billion in state, local and tribal relief, funds for Covid-19 vaccines and testing and rent and mortgage assistance. The instructions do not include a $15 per hour minimum wage, a Democratic priority that may not fit within restrictions governing reconciliation bills. “We are hopeful that Republicans will work in a bipartisan manner to support assistance for their communities, but the American people cannot afford any more delays and the Congress must act to prevent more needless suffering,” Schumer and Pelosi said in a statement. Biden spoke Sunday with Schumer and Pelosi, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement announcing the president’s outreach to Republicans. Biden “is grateful that Congress is prepared to begin action” on his rescue bill, she added. Biden has left the door open to passing a bill without Republicans if he cannot reach a deal with GOP lawmakers. “I support passing Covid relief with support from Republicans if we can get it,” he told reporters Friday. “But the Covid relief has to pass, there’s no ifs, ands or buts.” Democrats would need 10 Senate Republican votes to overcome a filibuster and pass a relief bill. Winning over the group that went to the White House on Monday would give Democrats enough support to get legislation through the chamber. » Subscribe to CNBC TV: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBCtelevision » Subscribe to CNBC: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBC » Subscribe to CNBC Classic: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBCclassic Turn to CNBC TV for the latest stock market news and analysis. From market futures to live price updates CNBC is the leader in business news worldwide. The News with Shepard Smith is CNBC’s daily news podcast providing deep, non-partisan coverage and perspective on the day’s most important stories. Available to listen by 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT daily beginning September 30: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/29/the-news-with-shepard-smith-podcast.html?__source=youtube%7Cshepsmith%7Cpodcast Connect with CNBC News Online Get the latest news: http://www.cnbc.com/ Follow CNBC on LinkedIn: https://cnb.cx/LinkedInCNBC Follow CNBC News on Facebook: https://cnb.cx/LikeCNBC Follow CNBC News on Twitter: https://cnb.cx/FollowCNBC Follow CNBC News on Instagram: https://cnb.cx/InstagramCNBC https://www.cnbc.com/select/best-credit-cards/ #CNBC #CNBCTV