Larson: Biden’s COVID Plan is What America Needs to Move Forward

Hartford, CT – Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement on President-elect Biden's American Rescue Plan:

"President-elect Biden's American Rescue Plan is exactly what we need to get us through this pandemic and provides the national leadership that has been missing since the pandemic began. I have said since the onset of this pandemic, the health of our nation and the economy are inextricably linked and we must address both. We can't fix the economy without conquering the pandemic. President-elect Biden's plan does just that making a robust investment in vaccine production and distribution, testing, and treatment. I have long called for invoking the Defense Production Act, and I am pleased the incoming Administration plans to do so, along with making a significant investment to expand domestic manufacturing capacity for pandemic supplies. This proposal will also provide needed relief to working families and our communities, including helping keep schools open safely. I look forward to working with his Administration to make this plan a reality," said Larson.

The American Rescue Plan, a historic emergency legislative package to change the course of the pandemic, provides millions of households immediate relief, builds a bridge towards economic recovery, and cuts child poverty in half. The plan:

• Relief for working families:
  • Delivers immediate relief to working families bearing the brunt of this crisis by sending $1,400 per-person checks to households across America in addition to the $600 Congress provided in December.
  • Provides direct housing and nutrition assistance.
  • Expands access to safe and reliable childcare and affordable healthcare.
  • Increases the minimum wage, extending unemployment insurance, and giving families with kids and childless workers an emergency boost this year.
• Defeating the pandemic:
  • Mounts a national vaccination program, contains COVID-19, and safely reopens schools.
  • It does this by setting up community vaccination sites nationwide, scaling up testing and tracing, eliminating supply shortage problems, investing in high-quality treatments, providing paid sick leave to contain the spread of the virus.
• Community Support:
  • Supports communities that are struggling in the wake of COVID-19 by providing support for the hardest-hit small businesses.
  • Provides $350 billion in critical funding for state, local and tribal governments to protect the jobs of the first responders, transit workers, and other essential workers we depend on.