Biden discussing COVID-19 aid with Dems, wants fast action

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has panned a slimmer, Republican alternative to his $1.9 trillion COVID rescue plan as insufficient. Biden and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urged Senate Democrats on a private call Tuesday to take bold action to address the pandemic and economic crisis. Biden was likely to reiterate that message Wednesday during a telephone call with House Democrats and an Oval Office meeting with a group of Democratic senators. Senate Democrats marshalled their sli