ICYMI: House Budget Democrats Champion Vital Provisions in President Biden’s American Rescue Plan

WASHINGTON – Earlier this week, the House Budget Committee completed a virtual markup of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Throughout the markup, Democrats highlighted the urgent need for additional COVID relief across the country as well as key relief provisions in the bill that will: help end the pandemic, mitigate its economic damage, deliver immediate relief to struggling families, and generate a strong and inclusive recovery. Key takeaways include…

Democrats on the need for additional relief to help American families survive these crises:

• YARMUTH: “This virus is evolving. Multiple variant strains of the novel coronavirus are already infecting Americans across the United States…We are in a race against time. Aggressive, bold action is needed before our nation is more deeply and permanently scarred by the human and economic costs of inaction.”
• PLASKETT: "We extend a 15 percent increase in SNAP benefits through September 30th. We include $25 million for the Commodity Supplement Food Program to support low income seniors. We continue to fight for hungry Americans to have access to nutritious food during this public health emergency."  
• PRICE: “This plan will reach both urban and rural areas with fair and much-needed targeted relief. In fact, every state, regardless of population, is going to get at least $500 million. States will also receive aid, yes, based on unemployment. Since when was unemployment not a legitimate indicator of economic distress?”
• SCOTT: "We need to make sure that we do what we can to make sure the resources are there so that the schools - and everybody wants to open the schools - have the resources, the PPE, and the disinfectant, staff to do that, transportation, class size ventilation, medical personnel. We need to make sure all of that is there so that they can open safely."  

Democrats on providing sustained relief to support a strong recovery:

• KILDEE: "The coronavirus pandemic is a health and an economic crisis. We can't recover the economy until we get the health care crisis under control and that starts first by supporting Medicare and giving people the economic tools they need to survive."
• MORELLE: "Leading economists on the left, the center, and the right all suggest that the worst mistake we could make economically would be to invest too little in those Americans who are suffering today."
• YARMUTH: “The bottom line is that the resources Congress has provided to date are being put to good use - but they are not nearly enough. That’s why we need the American Rescue Plan. It is tailored and targeted to respond to the urgent needs of the American people. It factors in the funding that Congress has already enacted, fills crucial gaps in relief, and makes the investments needed for a strong, inclusive recovery. And most importantly it will save lives and livelihoods.”

Democrats on delivering critical COVID relief to struggling communities, small businesses, and states and localities:

• CHU: “This legislation takes another step in the right direction by creating a new community navigator program to directly connect underserved businesses to COVID relief. This bill provides small businesses with the tools and assistance to do just that without closing their doors for good."
• HORSFORD: "Hundreds of governors, mayors, tribal leaders, union leaders, industry officials, public health officials across the political spectrum have endorsed this bill. Why? Because it includes critical funding for state and local aid for who? First responders, frontline health workers, and other essential staff that provide vital services to address issues at the state, local, and tribal level, as well as territories."
• JACKSON LEE: “It is so very important that we do what is right. We provide the funding for public jurisdictions, state and local governments, and we also provide the funding that is needed for individuals to survive and put food on their table.”
• YARMUTH: “In the United States of America – right now – previously healthy people are dying from a preventable virus because COVID tests and vaccines are unavailable to most Americans. The Biden Administration has made progress, but without additional resources we will never get to where we need to be.”

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