Congressman Morelle Votes to Enact American Rescue Plan, Deliver Much-Needed Relief for Families and Workers

Press Release

Today, Congressman Joe Morelle voted to enact the American Rescue Plan, delivering critical investments in families, businesses, and our economy. This comprehensive $1.9 trillion legislation includes direct payments to individuals, enhanced unemployment benefits, investment in childcare resources, additional support for small businesses, resources to strengthen vaccine distribution, state and local government funding, and more.

"We made a promise to Americans that we would take swift, decisive action to provide the support families and workers need to get through the COVID-19 crisis--and today's passage of the American Rescue Plan delivers on that promise," said Congressman Joe Morelle. "We've worked alongside our partners in the Senate to craft a comprehensive package that prioritizes the needs of everyday families by providing more direct payments, bolstering unemployment benefits, expanding the child tax credit, and ramping up vaccine distribution. This marks a massive step forward in our efforts to defeat this pandemic and revitalize communities across the country."

The American Rescue Plan marks the fifth COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress in the past year. Its passage comes as the United States reckons with the loss of 525,000 lives to the pandemic and a deepening economic crisis that has left 18 million Americans receiving unemployment benefits, nearly 24 million Americans going hungry, and up to 40 million Americans who cannot afford to pay rent.

This sweeping legislative package takes ambitious steps to address these serious challenges, prioritizing the needs of families and businesses across America. It has been passed by both the House of Representatives and the United States Senate and awaits President Biden's signature.

Specific highlights include:

Direct Payments to Americans

Includes direct payments of $1,400 for individuals earning up to $75,000, gradually phasing out for those with incomes above $80,000.
$2,800 for married couples with incomes up to $150,000, gradually phasing out at $160,000.
$1,400 per dependent, including college students and some people with disabilities.
Relief for Families

Increases Child Tax Credit to $3,000 per child ages 6 to 17, and $3,600 annually for children under 6 for the tax year 2021.
The fully-refundable tax credit is paid out to families each month for 12 months.
Provides nearly $39 Billion for Child Care and Development Block Grant program.
Maintains the 15% increase to SNAP benefits through the September 30, 2021.
Allocates $800 Million for WIC and temporarily boosts WIC Cash Value Vouchers.
Invests $5 Billion to maintain and expand Pandemic EBT program.
Support for Workers

Extends $300 Federal Pandemic Unemployment compensation through September 6.
Exempts up to $10,200 in unemployment benefits received in 2020 for households making less than $150,000.
Provides a 100% subsidy for individuals receiving healthcare coverage through COBRA.
Improved Vaccine and Testing Rollout

Provides $20 Billion to establish National COVID-19 Vaccination program.
Invests $51 Billion to bolster our testing and tracing capacity.
Allocates $10 Billion to support the Defense Production Act and expedite vaccine production.
State and Local Funding

Provides $350 Billion for State and Local governments to keep critical programs and services operational.
Includes $10 Billion to carry out critical capital projects directly enabling work, education, and health monitoring, including remote options, in response to the public health emergency.

Aid for Schools

Provides $170 Billion total to schools across America.
Allocates $7.6 Billion to reimburse schools and libraries that update or expand internet connectivity for students and patrons.
Support for Small Businesses

Allocates $7.25 Billion in additional funding and expanded eligibility for the Paycheck Protection Program.
Creates $28.66 Billion for Restaurant Revitalization Fund.
Allocates $1.25 Billion for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program.
Establishes $15 Billion for a COVID-19-specific Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.
Establishes Community Navigator pilot program to aid small businesses accessing COVID-19 relief programs.
Help to Veterans

Ensures veterans will not have any copays or cost-sharing for preventative treatment or services related to COVID-19 going back to April 2020.
Provides $14.5 Billion to the VA to provide healthcare services and other related supports.
Includes $272 Million to address benefits claims and clear appeals backlog.
Housing Assistance

Includes $27.5 Billion in Emergency Rental Assistance to protect millions of families from being kicked out on the streets.
Includes $4.5 Billion to support those experiencing homelessness.
Provides $4.5 Billion to help struggling Americans pay their utility bills.
Pension Relief

Keeps millions of Americans' multiemployer pensions solvent for decades to come.
Stabilizes single-employer pension plans.

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