1. American Rescue Plan
On Sunday, March 7th, the Senate approved a $1.9 trillion aid package and it is heading back to the house for a revote this week then onto the President’s desk. This package includes another round of stimulus checks of up to $1,400 for millions of Americans; an extension of the $300 weekly unemployment benefits through Labor Day; and a benefit of $300 per child for those age 5 and younger — and $250 per child ages 6 to 17. The bill also includes $350 billion for state, local and tribal governments; $130 billion to primary and secondary schools; $35 billion for higher education; $14 billion for the distribution of vaccines; health and workplace safety; works to prevent eviction and foreclosure and provides relief for small landlords and restaurants, among others; and $12 billion to nutrition assistance. Majority Leader Schumer estimates that this package delivers $100 BILLION to New York for a variety of programs and services, such as state and local relief ($23.8 billion), k-12 schools ($9 billion), higher education ($2.6 billion), COVID vaccine and testing ($4 billion) This is the second biggest stimulus package in our nation’s history. The House is expected to vote on the Senate bill on Tuesday.