As America Surpasses 500,000 COVID-19 Deaths, House Delivers Desperately Needed COVID-19 Relief

Press Release

Rep. Jason Crow voted today to pass the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, an urgently needed package to address the COVID-19 health and economic crisis. The legislation now heads to the Senate.

"A year into this crisis and with half a million Americans dead, our country finally has the leadership it needs to get this crisis under control. The American Rescue Plan delivers on the promise we made to the millions of struggling families, workers, and small businesses across the country," said Rep. Jason Crow. "This legislation provides the aid we need to get shots into arms, children safely back into schools, people back to work, and America on the road to recovery. Let's get this done."

Speaking on the House floor prior to the vote, Crow said, "We cannot grow numb to the pain and devastation the COVID pandemic brought this past year. Five-hundred thousand Americans are dead. Millions have lost their jobs and can't find meaningful employment. Children -- including my own- have had to adapt to online learning and millions of small businesses are struggling to keep the lights on. Folks in Colorado want to get this done. In fact, over 70 percent of Americans want to get this done -- and there are very few things more bipartisan than that."

Watch his floor speech here.

Rep. Crow held a press call with reporters to outline the importance of the bill. You can find a recording of the call here.

Some important provisions of the American Rescue Plan include:

Direct payments of up to $1,400 per adult and $1,400 per dependent for individuals making up to $100,000 and joint filers making up to $200,000.
$400 per week in supplemental federal unemployment benefits through August 29, 2021, and an extension of eligibility for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) programs to allow up to 74 weeks of benefits.
$26 billion in rental assistance, $10 billion to help homeowners struggling to afford their housing, and $5 billion to those most in need to help pay their utility bills.
$40 billion to support child care center operations and protect access to affordable care, and an increase in the Child Tax Credit to $3,000 per child and $3,600 if the child is under the age of 6.
$25 billion for a new restaurant assistance fund, $7.25 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program, and $15 billion for Economic Impact Disaster Loans (EIDL), as well as an extension of the Employee Retention Tax Credit.
$168 billion for schools, including both primary and secondary educational institutions to support safe reopening, teacher and student safety.
Key investments in food security, including an extension of the 15% increase in SNAP benefits through September.

Source