What America has been waiting for: the American Rescue Plan

DFL Logo


In what is expected to be a historic moment for Americans, the legislation that so many people desperately need will likely be approved later this evening in the U.S. House of Representatives. President Joe Biden’s comprehensive American Rescue Plan, which includes major areas such as direct relief checks, increased unemployment aid, vaccinations and tests, schools, and more, will answer the calls of the American people and provide help during this enduring crisis.

“The need is great. The opportunity is there,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. said. “The precision of this legislation to directly address the needs of the American people, the lives of the American people and the livelihoods.”

Democrats have been listening to needs of their constituents and will be passing the American Rescue Plan through the House tonight. Americans made it clear that a coronavirus relief plan would help ease their lives while enduring the harsh effects of the pandemic. The overwhelming majority of Americans support President Biden’s coronavirus relief agenda, including strong bipartisan support.

Continue reading “What America has been waiting for: the American Rescue Plan”

House passes $1.9 trillion COVID relief package

Axios logo

The House approved President Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID relief package on a 219-212 vote early Saturday morningsending it to the Senate for a possible rewrite before it gets to Biden’s desk.

The big picture: The vote was a critical first step for the package, which includes $1,400 cash payments for many Americans, a national vaccination program, ramped-up COVID testing and contact tracing, state and local funding and money to help schools reopen.

  • Two Democrats — Reps. Jared Golden (Maine) and Kurt Schrader (Ore.) — joined Republicans in voting against the bill.

What to watch: The bill will likely undergo an overhaul in the upper chamber after the Senate parliamentarian ruled the $15 minimum wage increase cannot be added in the relief package. Continue reading.