Bonamici Helps Pass American Rescue Plan to Send Important Relief to Oregonians

WASHINGTON, DC [02/26/21] –Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici helped the House pass the American Rescue Plan, lifesaving legislation that will provide Oregonians with desperately-needed relief from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has tragically claimed more than 500,000 lives and caused hardship in our lives and the economy," said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. "Community members have made heroic efforts to help their families and others survive, but the pandemic isn't over and they need additional support. The American Rescue Plan builds on prior relief efforts and sends important aid to Oregonians and people across the country.

"This bill includes many of the priorities Oregonians have discussed with me throughout the pandemic, including a meaningful investment in education and child care. Too many women have been forced out of the workforce, and this funding will help struggling families pay for child care and stabilize providers who have been pushed to the brink of permanent closure. It will also help our students, teachers, and staff safely return to their classrooms.

"Millions of people have lost their jobs through no fault of their own, including four million people who have been out of work for more than six months. The American Rescue Plan will provide immediate assistance to those facing the greatest need by extending expanded unemployment benefits, rental assistance, and the eviction moratorium. It also expands and strengthens nutrition programs, and will increase direct payments for working families to a total of $2,000. Millions will be lifted out of poverty by overhauling the Child Tax Credit and gradually increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025.

"Our communities need more help, and only the federal government can meet the tremendous need. This relief package is scaled to the problems we face. It will give security to struggling families, hope to business owners, and fuel to our vaccination efforts. And I will keep working to secure more resources for Oregonians as we build back better."

The American Rescue Plan includes:

• $160 billion for vaccination efforts
• $350 billion for state, local, and Tribal governments, which are on the frontlines of the pandemic
• $1,400 per person direct payments for families making $75,000 or less a year
• $130 billion for K-12 education, with a portion dedicated to address learning loss
• $40 billion for higher education, with half dedicated to direct student support
• $39 billion for child care
• $35 billion for rent, mortgage, and housing assistance
• $50 billion for small businesses including:
  • $7 billion for forgivable loans through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
  • $15 billion for EIDL Advance grants targeted at the hardest-hit small businesses
  • $25 billion to create a Restaurant Revitalization Fund grant program
  • Establishes Community Navigator Pilot Program to help small business owners understand and access relief programs

• And more.