Garamendi Secures Critical Funding to Re-Open Schools, Distribute Vaccines, Extend Unemployment Benefits, and Send $1,400 Stimulus Checks to Americans

Press Release

Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA03) voted to pass the Senate-amended "American Rescue Plan" (H.R.1319), in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill now heads to President Biden's desk to be signed into law this week.

The legislation includes much-needed relief to:

Put students safely back in classrooms
Put vaccines in arms
Put money in people's pockets
Put Americans back to work.
The bill includes funding to safely re-open schools, distribute vaccinations in every American community, send an additional $1,400 stimulus check to individuals, support small businesses, and extend unemployment benefits. The legislation codifies President Biden's COVID-19 relief plan into law and includes funding to support specific COVID-19-related initiatives in Congressman Garamendi's Congressional District.

"The COVID-19 pandemic is destroying lives, small businesses, and local communities across this nation as we enter the second year of its existence," Garamendi said. "Tragically, over 500,000 American lives have been lost to this virus, and millions more have been infected and are facing long-term health complications. The virus has also disrupted the economic livelihoods of 18 million Americans, who must now count on expanded unemployment benefits that are extended in this bill to keep food on the table.

"Children are being kept out of the classroom as we enter a second school year of remote learning, and communities are struggling to provide essential services to their residents. Congress has worked in a bipartisan manner to provide relief along the way, and today I am pleased to vote for the American Rescue Plan: the boldest and strongest COVID-19 relief package to-date that provides much-needed support to put vaccines in arms, put children back in school, and put Americans back to work. The legislation provides much-needed funding for my Congressional District to address our specific needs in local health care, transportation, education, and other essential services," Garamendi continued.

"The "American Rescue Plan' also provides $1,400 in direct assistance to Americans, bringing the total--including the $600 down payment from December 2020--to $2,000 per person. The bill also provides direct housing and nutrition assistance, extends and expands unemployment insurance to ensure Americans who have lost their job during the pandemic can afford to pay their bills, and expands the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to support small businesses and their employees," Garamendi continued.

"I'm pleased that this bill has passed Congress and is going to be signed into law to ensure the American people immediately receive the relief and support they deserve," Garamendi continued.

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