The American Rescue Plan was signed into law by President Biden two weeks ago today in the face of uniform opposition from Republicans in Congress, even though the bill maintained consistently high levels of support with Republican, Independent, and Democratic voters alike. The American people overwhelmingly supported the legislation before it passed, and are now seeing the many ways in which the relief legislation will improve their lives, help end the pandemic, and supercharge our nation’s economy.
Check out some recent coverage from across the nation on the incredible positive impact of the American Rescue Plan below:
HEADLINE: “Council Floats Spending ‘Huge’ Portion Of American Rescue Plan Funds To Solve Homelessness.” [Austin Monitor, 3/24/21]
- Thanks To The American Rescue Plan, The Austin City Council Believes That Solving The City’s Homelessness Crisis May Finally Be Within Reach. “City Council hopes that solving homelessness – the city’s biggest priority – may finally be within reach thanks to President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus package. Council members spoke effusively at Tuesday’s work session about the ‘transformational’ change possible if the city concentrates its portion of the American Rescue Plan – $195.8 million – on solving key issues instead of spreading the money thin. This is the chance, Mayor Steve Adler said, to ‘take one of our most significant challenges and just fix it.’” [Austin Monitor, 3/24/21]
HEADLINE: “Government Layoffs Pummeled Black Workers. The American Rescue Plan Could Bring Those Jobs Back.” [Huff Post, 3/24/21]
- The American Rescue Plan More Than Doubles The Amount Of Relief For Cities And States In The CARES Act, And The ARP Gives Governments More Flexibility On How To Use The Funds. “The amount of relief for cities and states in the American Rescue Plan more than doubles the amount in the CARES Act, which is the only other COVID-19 relief bill to have included any city and state aid. And unlike the CARES Act, it sends relief directly to thousands of small towns and counties. Under the CARES Act, many smaller municipalities had to wait months for the money to be doled out by their state. The American Rescue Plan also gives state and local governments the flexibility to use the money for more than just costs directly related to managing the pandemic, such as using the funds to prevent cuts. Advocates are cautiously optimistic that the size of the package is enough.” [Huff Post, 3/24/21]
HEADLINE: “IRS Disburses 37 Million Stimulus Payments In Second Batch, Nearly 30 Million Social Security Beneficiaries Still In Line.” [Forbes, 3/24/21]
- The IRS Has Disbursed 127 Stimulus Checks Out Of Approximately 158.5 Million. “The Internal Revenue Service announced that it disbursed another 37 million economic impact payments today. That’s on top of the 90 million disbursed last week, for a total of 127 million payments worth $325 billion issued so far. Some 158.5 million households are expected to qualify for the automatic payments.” [Forbes, 3/24/21]
HEADLINE: “Missoula County To Receive $21M In Relief Funding; $35M When Combined With City.” [Missoula Current, 3/24/21]
- The Relief Funds May Be Used To Bring Broadband To Parts Of The State, Or Used To Fund Housing, Infrastructure, Child Care, And Job Training. “Bringing broadband to parts of the state has emerged as an early favorite among lawmakers, who see it as a way to boost economic opportunities. But some have also named housing, infrastructure, child care and job training as possible funding targets. […] It could also address other infrastructure needs, along with public transportation, housing and a range of other uses. But until the federal government releases the guidelines, suggestions for now are only that.” [Missoula Current, 3/24/21]
HEADLINE: “American Rescue Plan Is About To Make Life Much Better For Arizona Schools, Families.” [AZ Central, 3/25/21]
HEADLINE: “American Rescue Plan May Bring Over $6 Million In Federal Aid To Monroe.” [The Monroe Sun, 3/24/21]
HEADLINE: “American Rescue Plan Includes More Than $2 Billion For Alabama’s Schools.” [Alabama News Center, 3/25/21]
HEADLINE: “Central Mass. Communities In Line For $488M From American Rescue Plan.” [W B Journal, 3/24/21]
HEADLINE: “City of Kingsport Expected To Receive $10.5 Million In American Rescue Plan Funding.” [WCYB News, 3/24/21]
HEADLINE: “City Of Flint To Receive $99.33 Million In Federal Stimulus From American Rescue Plan.” [East Village Magazine, 3/24/21]
HEADLINE: “SF Facing ‘Much Less Stark’ Budget Shortfall Due To Biden’s American Rescue Plan.” [KCBS Radio, 3/25/21]