Torres Votes to Deliver President Biden's Rescue Plan to the American People

Press Release

Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today voted in favor of President Biden's American Rescue Plan Act for the second time in as many weeks. Torres and House Democrats first passed the bill on February 27th by a vote of 219 to 212. Since then, the US Senate passed a slightly revised version of the legislation on March 6th. Lawmakers in the House of Representatives voted today on the Senate-passed version, ensuring that both chambers have approved identical legislation, and clearing the way for President Biden to sign it into law.

The legislation that passed today maintains many key provisions that will help Inland Empire residents through the pandemic:

$ 1,400 direct impact payments for workers and dependents, bringing the total federal support provided since December up to $ 2,000 per person. The compromise version lowers the phase-out range for qualification to receive these direct payments. However, anyone who received the full $ 600 down payment in December will received the full $ 1,400 payment now.
Expands the Child Tax Credit (CTC) from $ 2,000 to $ 3,000 per child ($ 3,600 for a child under age 6). The bill also makes the CTC fully refundable, which will allow an additional 27 million American children to benefit from it, and would cut the child poverty rate in half. Advance payments on the credit would begin as soon as July.
$ 71 billion for vaccine programs, testing, contact tracing, and hiring 100,000 full time public health workers to support our COVID-19 response.
$ 40 billion for emergency rental assistance, homeowner support and homelessness programs.
$ 350 billion to keep first responders, frontline health workers, and other providers of vital services safely on the job.
Nearly $ 130 billion to help schools meet CDC recommendations to safely allow students and teachers to return to the classroom.
In addition, the American Rescue Plan Act is estimated to deliver over $ 26 billion for the State of California, and more than $ 2.5 billion in direct relief to the cities and counties in California's 35th Congressional District:
The American Rescue Plan Act now goes to President Biden to be signed into law.

Congresswoman Torres released the following statement:

"COVID relief for the Inland Empire and countless communities across the country is now just one signature away," Rep. Norma J. Torres said. "While I preferred the House version of the American Rescue Plan over the Senate's, the fact remains that this bill delivers vital relief to the people and places that need it most. The expanded Child Tax Credit alone will cut child poverty in half. Other key investments it makes will help us continue the downward trend of COVID cases across southern California, and allow us to re-open our schools in a way that is safe for teachers, students, and parents at home. In the months to come, I will remain focused on getting these funds out to our community, and working in Washington to pass more relief until this pandemic is behind us. "

To date, Congresswoman Torres has secured more than $ 517 million in federal COVID relief for the Inland Empire.

More information about provisions included in the American Rescue Plan Act is available here .

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