Chairman Yarmuth’s Floor Remarks in Support of American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, Kentucky Representative John Yarmuth, Chair of the House Budget Committee, delivered remarks on the House Floor in support of The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319).  Remarks as prepared are below:

On Monday, our nation crossed an unfathomable milestone. More than a half a million Americans have now died from the coronavirus. On top of this staggering level of loss is the reality that the virus is evolving, and we are now dealing with variants that are more contagious and highly infectious for both adults and children. 

At the same time, our nation faces a painful and unequal recession – one from which we cannot fully recover until the coronavirus is contained.

The resources Congress provided last year have been put to good use – but they are not enough. Vaccines can stop this virus, but we don’t have the resources or infrastructure to get them out fast enough. Food banks are still overwhelmed, and rental assistance is running out. Unemployment benefits for millions of Americans will start to expire in just a few days. And more and more small businesses are closing their doors for good each day.

We are in a race against time and the American people are counting on us and the American Rescue Plan.

This plan is tailored and targeted. It will address the urgent needs of the American people: beating the virus, quickly and equitably distributing vaccines, safely reopening schools, delivering immediate relief to working families, and helping cities and states keep essential workers on the job and critical services up and running.  The American people are painfully aware of the challenges we face, and that is why the vast majority of them – Democrats, Republicans, and Independents – support this relief package.

If you don’t think Congress has more work to do here – then you either don’t get what American families are going through or you don’t care. I don’t know how else to say it.

Relief cannot wait – and we aren’t going to wait.  We are going to pass this legislation today – and we are going to provide the aggressive, bold action needed to finally end this pandemic and rebuild our economy.

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