Butterfield Votes on Final Passage of the American Rescue Plan Act

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) and Democrats in the House of Representatives voted to send the American Rescue Plan Act to President Joe Biden's desk to be signed into law.

"President Biden and Congressional Democrats have fulfilled a promise to the American people to deliver a bold COVID-19 relief package that will protect American lives and get our economy back on track. This vital legislation will put vaccines in arms through a national vaccination program that includes setting up community vaccination sites nationwide and addressing disparities facing communities of color. The American Rescue Plan Act will also put children safely back in school, with a plan that invests nearly $130 billion in school re-opening and innovative education programming.

"The economic impact of COVID-19 has devastated families and businesses across the nation. To deliver immediate relief to working families bearing the brunt of the crisis, eligible recipients will receive economic impact payments of up to $1,400 per person. This follows the $600 down payment enacted in December and fulfills Democrats promise to put $2,000 into Americans' pockets. The plan will also provide direct housing assistance, nutrition assistance for 40 million Americans, expand access to safe and reliable child care and affordable health care, and extends unemployment insurance so that 18 million American workers can pay their bills. The bill also makes an historic change to the Child Tax Credit for low-income Americans with children, supporting those families most in need and cutting child poverty in half. More than 17 million low-wage childless workers will also benefit through an improved Earned Income Tax Credit.

"The American Rescue Plan puts people back in jobs with a plan to provide crucial support for the hardest-hit small businesses, especially those owned by entrepreneurs from racial and ethnic backgrounds that have experienced systemic discrimination, with Economic Injury Disaster Loans, expanded Paycheck Protection Program eligibility and more. The plan also provides crucial resources to protect the jobs of first responders, frontline public health workers, teachers, transit workers and other essential workers.

"The American Rescue Plan Act now goes to President Biden's desk to be signed into law and the American people should know that help is on the way."

Source