Congressman Steven Horsford's Statement in Support of President-elect Biden's American Rescue Plan

Statement

Today, Congressman Steven Horsford announced his support for President-elect Biden's plan to help America rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Biden-Harris American Rescue Plan will provide much-needed relief to frontline health care workers and families to crush the virus and begin economic recovery. Congressman Horsford released the following statement in response:

"My top priority for the 117th Congress is crushing this virus. Today, President-elect Biden announced an innovative, bold, and historic plan to fund a national vaccination campaign, mobilize 100,000 public health workers, and provide critical relief to struggling small businesses," said Congressman Horsford. "This aggressive plan will aim to give out 100 million vaccine shots in the first 100 days, double the supply of COVID-19 tests, and provide $15 billion for community health centers in underserved communities.

"I commend President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris for their commitment to equity in COVID-19 testing and vaccine distribution, as well as a dramatic increase in health care funding to combat this pandemic. Their plan puts marginalized communities at the forefront of our response and provides critical relief to hard-working American families making $40,000 or less. With unemployment rates approaching Depression levels and with Nevada at nearly 12% unemployment, this relief is sorely needed.

"I'm also glad to see that the plan provides critical subsidies for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans to help American families access health care during this critical time. President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris are demonstrating their continued fight for the American people and I look forward to working with them in Congress to make this plan a reality."

The Biden-Harris plan additionally includes other key priorities shared by Congressman Horsford, including extending unemployment insurance and increasing weekly payments to $400, finishing the job and providing an extra $1,400 extra cash payment, as well as making the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit fully refundable.

The American Rescue Plan also includes $15 billion in targeted relief to the hardest hit small businesses, which employ half of all American workers. It also calls on Congress to extend the eviction and foreclosure moratorium through September 30, 2021 to ensure that families are not forced out of their homes in the middle of a pandemic. In addition, it includes $30 billion in rental assistance for renters and landlords as well as $5 billion in emergency assistance to assist those experiencing homelessness to secure housing.

Congressman Horsford currently serves as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus First 100 Days Transition Task Force, working as a key liaison to the Biden-Harris Transition team.

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