In the News

The American Rescue Plan is a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package proposed by President Joe Biden. Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Congressman Richard Neal, explained what this means for the American people and how soon they could see this relief.

"The pandemic is not a Democratic problem or a Republican problem, it's a health issue and before we get to full economic recovery, which every projection for the second half of the year indicates to be extraordinary, before we get there, we have to resolve the pandemic," said Neal.

The House Ways and Means Committee debated for 19 hours about proposals making up half of President Biden's COVID-19 relief package. The full House votes Friday, and if passed by both the House and Senate, working families will get an additional check for $1,400 per person. Temporary unemployment benefits would be extended to August 29 and will increase the weekly benefit from $300 to $400. Child care credits would also be expanded and families could claim up to half of their child care expenses.

"The number of women who were forced to leave the work force, to choose between work or staying home as a parent as schools close, was a reminder of the challenges they face," said Rep. Neal.

The child tax credit would also expand to $3,000 per child and $3,600 for children under six. The relief package also enhances earned income tax credit for workers without children, nearly tripling the maximum credit and extending eligibility, which would be the largest expansion since 2009.

"I've been on this forever, extending the earned income tax credit to individual filers," said Rep. Neal. "I believe very strongly in it, and it has worked and it rewards work."

Rep. Neal said the American Rescue Plan also reduces health care premiums, provides additional resources to nursing homes, and stabilizes retirement pension for more than one million Americans.

"The problem we have now is that the economy is a bit stalled out again and I think if we can build a bridge for the last half, third quarter of the year, if the economic forecasts are correct, we will be on a trajectory for growth," said Rep. Neal.

The House is set to vote on Friday. Rep. Neal said if passed, people could start to see the relief as early as March.