Perlmutter Supports Final Passage of American Rescue Plan

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) today supported the final passage of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to provide critical and immediate relief for individuals, families, healthcare providers, and communities across the country.

Importantly, the bill includes significant funding for state and local governments which have been on the front lines of this pandemic - funding Perlmutter has long-supported - including an estimated $4.1 billion to the State of Colorado and $1.8 billion to city and county governments in Colorado. This funding comes with greater flexibility and eligible uses including to replace lost revenue and address the economic needs from the public health emergency.

"The American Rescue Plan is long overdue and answers the call from people across the country to give significant support for the physical, emotional, and financial health of all Americans," said Perlmutter. "The majority of Americans support this package because it gets more shots in arms, helps students get back into schools, puts people back to work, and provides a needed boost to small businesses and our economy as we begin to emerge from this pandemic."

Notable provisions include:

* Vaccine Production and Distribution: Establishes a national COVID-19 vaccination program to improve distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and continues to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are free and accessible for everyone.

* Economic Impact Payments: Provides an additional $1,400 in direct payments per individual, including dependents, for single filers making under $75,000 and joint filers making under $150,000.

* Unemployment Assistance: Extends the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program, as well as the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) supplemental of $300 a week through September 6, 2021. The package also exempts up to $10,200 in unemployment benefits from 2020 federal income taxes for certain households.

* Education: In the 7th Congressional District, K-12 school districts are projected to receive upwards of $162 million to address learning loss and make upgrades to school facilities and equipment as we safely return to in person learning. The package also includes funding to help colleges and universities make up for lost revenue due to the pandemic as well as grants to childcare providers to help with payroll, rent, PPE, mental health support and other needs.

* Small Businesses: Expands PPP eligibility and increases PPP funding, including for non-profits, as well as provides additional funding for Targeted EIDL Advance program, a new Restaurant Revitalization Fund, and a new Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program.

* Housing: The package provides $21.5 billion for emergency rental and utility assistance, $10 billion in homeowners assistance as well as significant funding for homelessness programs and to help with utility bills for those most in need.

* Healthcare: Expands health coverage and lowers health care costs for middle class families and individuals who lost their job or are on unemployment.

* Support for First Responders and Essential Workers: Provides additional funding for states and localities to maintain critical workers including frontline healthcare workers, police, firefighters, transit workers, teachers, EMS, and other vital workers who have kept our communities running since the beginning of the pandemic.

Source