Napolitano Votes to Pass American Rescue Plan, Securing Coronavirus Relief Funds for San Gabriel Valley Families and Businesses

Statement

Today, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-El Monte) voted to pass H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan Act, securing urgently-needed COVID-19 relief funding for San Gabriel Valley families and small businesses.

"My constituents, like millions of Americans, have been devastated by the Coronavirus pandemic, which has caused economic catastrophe and worsened an existing mental health crisis," Napolitano said. "They cannot and should not have to wait any longer for relief, which is why I proudly voted to pass President Biden's American Rescue Plan and deliver long-overdue funding to San Gabriel Valley families and small businesses."

"From providing another round of direct cash payments, boosting rental assistance, and extending unemployment insurance, to bolstering small businesses of all sizes, delivering money to schools, and strengthening life-saving mental health services, our legislation addresses the many priorities requested in over 1,000 constituent letters my office has received since the start of the pandemic," Napolitano added. "I am also proud the bill provides an estimated $136 million for cities in my district to help finally pay our local heroes--our health care workers, police, fire, transportation, EMS, teachers, and other essential workers--who have fought every day of this pandemic to keep us safe and could lose their jobs."

"The robust funding, resources, and lifelines included in the American Rescue Plan will help defeat this deadly virus, safely reopen schools, deliver vaccines to all, put money in families' pockets, and get people back to work," Napolitano concluded. "As we look toward other measures to help our nation recover, create jobs, and move beyond the pandemic, I will continue to focus on meeting the needs of all my constituents."

The American Rescue Plan is strongly supported by a large majority of the American people -- including 60 percent of Republicans -- bipartisan state and local leaders, national education groups, trade unions and advocacy organizations, and hundreds of businesses and chambers of commerce. Economists agree that the American Rescue Plan's targeted, evidence-based action is needed -- both for struggling families and for the American economy. The legislation's provisions will generate $1.25 for every $1 of spending, will cut child poverty in half and will lift nearly 12 million people out of poverty.

H.R. 1319 passed the House by a vote of 220 to 211 and will now go to President Biden's desk for his signature.

Updated initiatives in the American Rescue Plan that will benefit San Gabriel Valley residents:

Direct Payment Checks

Provides single filers with incomes up to $75,000, head of household filers with incomes up to $112,500, and joint filers with incomes up to $150,000 the full payment of $1,400.
Payment phased out for single filers making $80,000, head of household filers making $120,000, and joint filers making $160,000.
Rental Assistance

$22.5 billion for emergency rental and utility assistance to states and localities to help stabilize renters during the pandemic and help rental property owners of all sizes continue to cover their costs
$10 billion to assist homeowners pay their mortgages, utilities, and property taxes
$5 billion to help states and localities assist those experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness
Unemployment Benefits

Extends unemployment benefits at $300 a week through September 6, 2021.
Lengthens the duration of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program from 50 weeks up to 74 weeks and the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program from 24 weeks to 48 weeks.
State and Local Governments

Provides $350 billion to state and local governments, as well as tribes and territories to help keep critical workers on the job.
Funds are available until expended and must be used to address the pandemic or its negative economic impacts, including to replace revenue lost, delayed, or decreased as a result of the pandemic.
Child Tax Credit

Increases the Child Tax Credit to $3,000 per child and $3,600 for a child under the age of 6.
Makes Child Tax Credit fully refundable for 2021.
Expanding Behavioral and Mental Health Services

$3 billion for the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Community Mental Health block grant programs through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
$420 million for certified behavioral health clinics
$280 million for programs that support mental and behavioral health and prevent burnout among health care providers and public safety officers.
$120 million for Indian Health Service mental and behavioral health prevention and treatment programs.
$100 million for Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) mental health services.
$80 million specifically for the Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program at HRSA.
Transportation

$50 billion for FEMA Disaster Relief Fund to help communities deal with costs associated with COVID-19 response, including vaccination efforts
$30 billion for transit for operating costs, including payroll and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
$8 billion for airports and airport businesses to retain personnel and continue operations
Vaccines

$7.5 billion to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prepare, promote distribute, monitor, and track COVID--19 vaccines.
$7.5 billion for FEMA to establish vaccination sites across the country
$1 billion for the CDC to undertake a vaccine awareness and engagement campaign
Resources for Schools

Nearly $130 billion to elementary and secondary education to help schools reopen safely and close the homework gap. Schools would be able to use the money to update their ventilation systems, reduce class sizes to help implement social distancing, buy PPE, and hire support staff.
Nearly $40 billion for institutions of higher education to help make up for lost revenue due to the pandemic. Requires institutions to dedicate at least half of their funding for emergency aid grants to students to help prevent hunger, homelessness, and other hardships facing students as a result of the pandemic.
Small Businesses & Local Restaurants

Allocates $60 billion to small businesses, including $28.66 billion to fund Restaurant Revitalization Grants through SBA, assisting restaurants in recovering from the economic downturn.
$7.25 billion in additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and expands eligibility of 501(c) nonprofits of all sizes and types, except for 501(c)4 lobbying organizations.
$15 billion for targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program to help those who applied for relief in 2020 but did not receive the full $10,000 grant.
$2.5 billion to business enterprises owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, including minority-owned businesses.

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