Biden wants Congress to take action on gun reform

House Democrats met with Biden at the White House Friday morning to discuss his $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package -- the president’s first in-person meeting with House Democrats since he was sworn in.

Ahead of the meeting, Biden compared his push for the relief package to the effort in 2009 to get the Recovery Act passed. 

“It was hard as hell to get the votes for it to begin with,” the president said of the massive stimulus plan during the first weeks of the Obama Administration. “Then it was hard as hell to get even the number we got.”  

“But one thing we learned: We can't do too much here. We can do too little. We can do too little and sputter," Biden said.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer were among the members in attendance. Biden sat between Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris.

-ABC News’ Karen Travers and Sarah Kolinovsky

Biden has recorded his first remarks for an international summit, taping a short video message in advance of the African Union Summit.

"The United States stands ready now to be your partner in solidarity, support, and mutual respect," Biden said in the remarks posted by the White House overnight. "We believe in the nations of Africa, in the continent-wide spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation."

-ABC News' Ben Gittleson

Congressional Democrats renewed calls Thursday for Biden to cancel up to $50,000 in federal student loans per person.

The Democrats, led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, said Thursday that canceling loans would provide a much-needed boost to the economy and help lift communities of color.

"Debt holds people back from buying cars, from going on vacations, from starting families, from getting the job they want to get, it's a huge anchor on our entire economy," Schumer said. "There's very little that the president could do with a flick of a pen that would boost our economy more than canceling $50,000 of student debt."

However, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Thursday that Biden supports a more modest proposal: up to $10,000 in student loan forgiveness per person.

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

The Senate approved a budget resolution early Friday that would allow for the passage of Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package without Republican support.

Harris broke a 50-50 tie in the Senate by casting a vote in favor of the Democratic measure, which was approved by the House of Representatives on Wednesday. The resolution now goes back to the House for final approval.

Biden has said he hopes to garner Republicans' support for his relief package, billed as the American Rescue Plan, though Democrats are working to push it through Congress with or without the GOP.

Earlier this week, the president met with Republican senators to discuss the package in an effort to generate bipartisan support.