By Blake Haas
BLOOMINGTON – The American Rescue Plan is already paying dividends, according to Illinois’ Senior Senator as President Joe Biden crosses 100-day’s in office.
Less than 40-days ago, Senate Democrats passed a $1.9 trillion economic bill designed to speed up the U.S’s recovery from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking on the Senate floor, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said the bill that provided $1,400 checks to American’s is already paying off.
“Last month, the number of families behind on rent fell by two million. The share of adults who say they don’t have enough to eat fell from one-in-seven to one-in-eleven.”
The rescue plan, which passed in March, also provides small business support, extended unemployment benefits, and lower health premiums.
“In December, economic projections from the Federal Reserve had a forecast of the U.S. economy growing by 4.2% in 2021. After we passed the American Rescue plan, that estimate jumped from to a healthy strong 6.5%,” added Durbin. “Last month consumer confidence in America hit its highest level since the pandemic shut down the economy a year ago.”
The plan, which passed without a Republican vote, also provides funding for reopening many K-8 schools.
On Friday, the White House announced 100 million Americans are fully vaccinated.
Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].
