The COVID-19 pandemic is the worst public health and economic crisis our country has faced in a century. It demands bold, decisive action, and that’s what Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer delivered with the American Rescue Plan (ARP). The ARP is the most ambitious, anti-poverty legislation ever passed in American history, and it delivers $100 billion in aid specifically to New York.
- Direct checks: The American Rescue Plan included up to $1,400 direct stimulus payments to almost every American, including adult dependents.
- Funding for vaccines: Billions of dollars were allocated to speed up the production and distribution of the COVID vaccines, significantly increasing the rate at which vaccines get into people’s arms.
- Slashing child poverty: Through the expansion of the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit, families can receive up to $3,600 per child. This will cut the national child poverty rate in half.
- State and local relief: To support first responders, frontline healthcare providers and other critical government services, the American Rescue Plan sends $360 billion to state and local governments across the country and $23.8 billion to New York.
- School funding: The American Rescue Plan gives schools — from elementary schools to universities — critical funding to support students and ensure schools can reopen safely.
- Expanded Unemployment Insurance: Millions of Americans were forced out of work due to COVID-19. The American Rescue Plan provides an additional $300 per week in unemployment benefits through September, and guarantees that the first $10,200 of benefits are not taxable.
- Restaurants Act: $28.6 billion was set aside for hard-hit restaurants, who can receive grants to cover payroll, rent or other operating costs. This lifeline for small restaurants is based off the RESTAURANTS Act, a bipartisan bill championed by Chuck Schumer.
- Save Our Stages: Theaters and independent entertainment venues were the first places to close at the beginning of the pandemic, and they’ll be the last to re-open. Chuck Schumer championed the Save Our Stages Act to provide grants to hard-hit, live venues.
- Funeral Assistance: No one should go into debt paying for a loved one’s funeral, especially during the pandemic. Chuck Schumer worked with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to ensure Americans can receive a reimbursement of up to $9,000 for a loved one’s funeral costs.
- Paycheck Protection Program: Chuck Schumer passed a critical extension of the Paycheck Protection Program to allow small businesses to get loans to keep paying their employees during the pandemic.
