“We are finally meeting the moment with bold action and targeted assistance to those struggling the most. Gradually increasing the federal minimum wage will give millions of frontline workers a raise and pump billions into our local economies, allowing Americans to at long last live on the wages from one job.”
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Andy Levin (MI-09) voted to pass President Biden's American Rescue Plan and deliver long-awaited, comprehensive COVID-19 relief. Several of his legislative priorities were included in the final package that passed the House today.
"Today marks a turning point away from the public health and economic devastation that has marked this last year, and just in time before benefits lapse once more," said Rep. Levin. "We are finally meeting the moment with bold action and targeted assistance to those struggling the most. Gradually increasing the federal minimum wage will give millions of frontline workers a raise and pump billions into our local economies, allowing Americans to at long last live on the wages from one job. Unemployed workers and food insecure families and children will have resources and peace of mind during this dark hour. Finally knowing their essential services will be funded, state and local governments can focus on ramping up vaccine distribution—under a national vaccination plan at last."
The President's American Rescue Plan will crush the virus, return children safely to the classroom, get vaccines to the people, put dollars into families' pockets and put people back to work:
- Beat the virus and safely reopen schools – The plan will mount a national vaccination program that includes setting up community vaccination sites nationwide. It will take complementary measures to combat the virus, including scaling up testing and tracing, addressing shortages of personal protective equipment and other critical supplies, investing in high-quality treatments and addressing health care disparities. The plan will also make the investments necessary to safely reopen schools and ensure child-care facilities stay open. Rep. Levin's Library Stabilization Fund Act, with $200 million for libraries to address impacts caused by COVID-19 and continue to serve their communities, was included in the bill.
- Deliver immediate relief to working families bearing the brunt of the crisis – The plan finishes the job on the President's promise to provide $2,000 in direct assistance to households across America with checks of $1,400 per person, following the $600 down payment enacted in December. The plan will also provide direct housing assistance, nutrition assistance for 40 million Americans, expand access to affordable health care and extend and expand unemployment insurance so that 18 million American workers can pay their bills. The American Rescue Plan also supports 27 million children with an expanded Child Tax Credit and 15 million low-wage workers through the Earned Income Tax Credit. It will give 27 million workers a raise by increasing the federal minimum wage gradually to $15 an hour.
- Support communities struggling with the economic fallout – The plan will 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 EIDL grants, expanded PPP eligibility and a targeted SBA loan program for restaurants and other eating and drinking establishments. The plan also provides crucial resources to protect the jobs of first responders, frontline public health workers, teachers, transit workers and other essential workers that all Americans depend on.
Source:https://andylevin.house.gov/media/press-releases/levin-celebrates-house-passage-american-rescue-plan
