This week President Biden hit two landmark milestones ahead of schedule: on Tuesday he announced his administration had administered more than 150 million coronavirus vaccine shots and on Wednesday he announced that more than 150 million American Rescue Plan checks had been delivered to Americans. Both achievements fall well before his first 100 days making clear that President Biden is following through on his promise to get direct relief to Americans and defeat the pandemic.
While President Biden had a historic week fulfilling his promises to Americans, Republicans continue to double down on misinformation about the coronavirus vaccine. Several GOP senators including Rand Paul, Rick Scott, Mike Braun and Ron Johnson said they haven’t gotten the vaccine and cite dangerous misinformation that’s been disproven by public health experts. A new report out this week also showed that the states with the worst COVID responses are overwhelmingly controlled by Republican Governors.
Meanwhile, President Biden’s American Rescue Plan and handling of the COVID response is more popular than ever, and as more Americans get shots in arms and direct relief, they will know who is responsible for getting America back on track.
President Biden Hits Critical Milestones in Fight to Get Our Economy Back and Defeat COVID:
AP News: US Treasury: 156 Million Coronavirus Relief Payments Issued. “The direct payments of as much as $1,400 per person were the cornerstone promise of Biden’s $1.9 trillion package to contain the pandemic and revive the U.S. economy. Roughly $372 billion has been paid out since March 12, a sum that likely boosted hiring last month as Americans had more money to spend.” [AP News, 4/7/21]
CNBC: U.S. Surpasses 150 Million Vaccine Shots Under Biden, on Track to Hit President’s New 200 million Goal. “If the country maintains its current daily pace throughout the rest of the month, the Biden administration will land somewhere around 225 million total doses administered in that 100-day period. Biden announced Tuesday that states should open vaccine appointments to all U.S. adults by April 19, moving up his original deadline by nearly two weeks.” [CNBC, 4/7/21]
The Hill: Vaccination Pace Picks Up Steam; Normality Appears Closer. “The accelerating pace of vaccinations across the United States is offering hope that something close to normality is on the horizon. A significant taming of the pandemic in the U.S. could be just a matter of a few weeks, with an average 3 million people being vaccinated each day and 4 million alone getting shots on Saturday. Across the country, more than 75 percent of people 65 or older have received at least one shot, as have more than 40 percent of all adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).” [The Hill, 4/6/21]
NBC News: One in 4 U.S. Adults is Now Fully Vaccinated. “The U.S. reached a milestone in its vaccination efforts on Wednesday, with new data showing that close to 25 percent of adults in the country have been fully vaccinated. The data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also show that 40 percent of adults and 75 percent of seniors have received at least one dose.” [NBC News, 4/7/21]
Bloomberg: U.S. Has Sent More Than 150 Million Checks in Biden Relief Plan. “The Biden administration has officially distributed more than 150 million stimulus checks as of Wednesday from the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill, one of the key benchmarks the president had hoped to hit during his first 100 days in office. The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service have sent out roughly 156 million payments to people, totaling roughly $372 billion, according to the Treasury Department. The majority of these latest payments went to Social Security recipients and beneficiaries, providing a cash infusion more than a year into the pandemic.” [Bloomberg, 4/7/21]
CNN: Biden Moves Deadline for All Us Adults to Be Eligible for COVID Vaccine to April 19. “Speaking at the White House after visiting a vaccination center in Alexandria, Virginia, Biden said that 150 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine have been administered within his first 75 days in office, in line with a stated goal of 200 million shots by his 100th day in office.
While the President was pleased with the progress, he stressed the US must continue to ramp up efforts to beat the pandemic.” [CNN, 4/6/21]
GOP Senators Double Down Conspiracy Theories and Refuse the Vaccine:
Washington Post: Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI), Mike Braun (R-IN), Rand Paul (R-KY) And Rick Scott (R-FL) Say They Haven’t Been Vaccinated. “At least four GOP senators have not been vaccinated, nor are they sharing any plans to do so in the near future. An ophthalmologist, a businessman, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee and one of the GOP’s most frequent spreaders of conspiracy theories are among the lawmakers who have previously provided reporters with varying reasons for why they haven’t been jabbed yet.” [Washington Post, 4/7/21]
- Republican Men Are Among Most Hesitant Demographics To Get The Vaccine. “GOP Sens. Rick Scott (Fla.) and Ron Johnson (Wis.) did not respond to Power Up’s request for comment on if and when they plan to receive the coronavirus vaccine as Republican voters — and GOP men in particular — has emerged as one of the most vaccine hesitant demographics.” [Washington Post, 4/7/21]
- Senator Mike Braun Has Cited Baseless Conspiracy Theories As A Reason Why He Has Refused The Vaccine. “Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) has cited concerns about the vaccine’s ties to abortion as a reason he had not yet been vaccinated. In a statement provided to Power Up, Braun declined to disclose his vaccination status and scolded those ‘keeping tabs on who has or has not received a vaccine through ‘passports’ or lists.’” [Washington Post, 4/7/21]
- Senator Rand Paul Cited Developing An Immune Defense To The Virus As A Reason For Not Getting The Vaccine Despite No Evidence To Support Claim That People Who Contract COVID Are Now Immune. “A spokesperson for Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) reiterated the Kentucky lawmaker’s claims he’s ‘developed an immune defense to the virus’ after testing positive for coronavirus last March, and is ‘following the science on the vaccines and masks for those who have developed immunity.’ There’s no such evidence, however, that people who have already contracted the virus are now immune to it, according to widespread public health guidance.” [Washington Post, 4/7/21]
- Ron Johnson Also Cited False Claim Of Immunity From Reinfection Despite Public Health Officials Rejecting His Theory By Making Clear Reinfection Is Possible. “Johnson has offered a series of reasons why he has yet to receive the vaccine, claiming immunity from getting re-infected since he’s already had the virus, even as public health experts and doctors provide clear instructions whether or not you’ve come down with the disease.” [Washington Post, 4/7/21]