Thread by @JakeSherman

☀️ @PunchbowlNews AM: What Steve Ricchetti told us

We spoke for a bit last night with Steve Ricchetti, counselor to President Biden, and one of the most powerful people in the White House

He laid out in detail what Biden sees as must haves in his agenda and the future

@PunchbowlNews —> Must haves in Covid relief: “The checks and the direct assistance, you know the the additional $1,400 in the checks is vitally important and was really certainly at the top of the list for us in terms of what we think is important and was a campaign commitment."

Richetti on UI: "The extension of … unemployment insurance is really, really … important.”

→ How about an increase in the minimum wage?: “The minimum wage piece -- the provision itself is embedded in our proposal …

And we know that there's a dimension to this that will be considered, as you know, in reconciliation so I think that there's some of the mechanical considerations about where and how it will be treated [that] are still to be determined.

Here’s ricchetti on whether Biden is being torn between staff/hill and deal cutting.

Here’s Ricchetti on biden’s further priorities: Opioid crisis legislation, and national service.