American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

Floor Speech

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Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time.

Mr. Speaker, the American Rescue Plan enjoys overwhelming public support because it addresses critical needs exasperated by COVID-19. It is supported by 75 percent of the American people, 71 percent of independents, and 60 percent of Republicans.

This legislation is transformative. It specifically provides $1.6 billion for HBCUs and additional funds through the United States Department of Agriculture, which is now authorized to increase its support of our 1890 land grant institutions.

The Washington Post reports: A little-known element of this ``package would pay billions of dollars to disadvantaged farmers, benefiting Black farmers in a way that some experts say no legislation has since the Civil Rights Act of 1964.''

The New York Times says: ``Researchers predict it could become one of the most effective laws to fight poverty in a generation,'' and would ``cut the child poverty rate in half.''

The Associated Press declares: ``Several million people stand to save hundreds of dollars in health insurance costs'' in ``the biggest expansion of Federal help for health insurance'' since the Affordable Care Act.

I call upon my Republican colleagues to stop their March madness and show some compassion for their constituents who are less than wealthy.

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