Officials in President Joe Biden's administration tried to head off Republican concerns that his $1.9 trillion (RM7.7 trillion) pandemic relief proposal was too expensive on a Sunday call with Republican and Democratic lawmakers, some of whom pushed for a smaller plan targeting vaccine distribution.

Lawmakers from both parties said they agreed that getting the Covid-19 vaccine to Americans should be a priority, but some Republicans objected to such a hefty package only a month after Congress passed a $900 billion (RM3.6 trillion) relief measure...