Congressman Tim Ryan Helps Pass the American Rescue Plan Act

Press Release

Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) last night voted in support of the American Rescue Plan Act, which includes $11 Billion for the State of Ohio and nearly $300 million for counties in the 13th District. Additionally, the American Rescue Plan Act allocated nearly $555 million for school districts in Northeast Ohio, including an estimated $119M for Akron City Schools, $36M for Warren City Schools, and over $70M for Youngstown City Schools. The bill also provides direct assistance to households across America with checks of $1,400 per person, following the $600 down payment enacted in December. Additionally, it fixes the previous dependent issues so college students, adults with disabilities, and any other adult dependent will now be able to receive a check.

"The passage of the American Rescue Plan Act is a deserving win for Northeastern Ohio. Like many communities across the country, we have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic -- both from a health and economic perspective. The financial assistance and public health investments secured in this bill will help our families, our schools, and our state and local governments get back to normal," said Congressman Ryan. "As President Biden has said, this legislation will "meet the moment' by tackling the urgent public health and economic crises the Nation faces as a result of COVID-19. With this legislation, we can defeat the COVID-19 virus, make the necessary investments to move our country forward, and begin the healing process needed to bring the country together."

The American Rescue Plan Act:

Takes crucial steps to combat coronavirus by providing $20 billion for a national vaccination program; scaling up testing and tracing; providing critical funding to treat and protect all Americans, including in communities of color; and supporting the VA's ability to meet the treatment needs of our nation's veterans.
Provides nearly $130 billion available to states and school districts for immediate and long-term relief so they can work with public health experts to safely re-open schools and make up for lost time in the classroom.
Extends unemployment insurance through August and increases the FPUC weekly benefit to $400 so American workers can pay their bills.
Includes crucial support for the hardest-hit small businesses, especially those owned by entrepreneurs from racial and ethnic backgrounds that have experienced systemic discrimination, with EIDL grants, expanded PPP eligibility, and more. Includes $25 billion for a Restaurant Revitalization Fund and an additional $1.25 billion for Shuttered Venue Operators Grants.
Provides funding for enhancements to refundable tax credits like the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit. Making the Child Tax Credit Fully Refundable and Increasing Its Size for 2021: The bill makes the child tax credit fully refundable for 2021 and increases the annual amount from the current $2,000 per child to $3,000 per child ($3,600 for a child under age 6). It also strengthens the Earned Income Tax Credit for Childless Adults, for 2021: The bill raises the maximum Earned Income Tax Credit for childless adults from roughly $530 to close to $1,500.
Supports Americans in need with rental, mortgage, and homelessness assistance, extending the emergency benefit increase in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), expands access to safe and reliable childcare and affordable health care, and provides support for those needing help paying utilities.
Stabilizes multiemployer pension plans: The economic crisis caused by the pandemic has undermined many pension plans. The bill stabilizes Multiemployer Pension Plans by creating a special financial assistance program under which cash payments would be made by the PBGC to financially troubled Multiemployer Pension Plans to ensure the plans can continue paying retirees' benefits, thereby protecting retirees who worked for decades to earn their benefits.

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